Venturefest South and Barclays Eagle Labs launch “VFS Connects” – connecting innovators with investors across the Central South
Venturefest South (VFS) has created an exciting collaboration with Barclays Eagle Labs to launch a new portal within the Barclays Demo Directory, a dedicated digital platform designed to connect ambitious startups and scaleups with investors and corporates.
The Demo Directory platform will give Venturefest South’s community of innovators the opportunity to showcase their businesses, highlight their technologies and growth ambitions, and increase their visibility to Barclays’ network of more than 1100 verified investors, as well as corporates looking for innovative solutions and potential partners.
The collaboration will create an ongoing benefit for the Venturefest South innovator community. Previous VFS innovators, startups and founders will be invited to create profiles on the platform, giving them another route to build valuable connections and unlock potential investment and commercial opportunities.
For investors, the platform provides a curated way to discover ambitious businesses and filter opportunities according to factors including sector, stage and strategic fit. Corporates can also use the platform to identify emerging technologies, potential partners and businesses that could support their innovation and growth objectives.
Ed Gould, Chair at Venturefest South said: “Venturefest South has always been about creating meaningful connections between the people building innovative businesses and the investors, organisations and partners who can help them grow.
“This collaboration with Barclays allows us to extend those connections beyond the festival itself. Our innovator community will have another opportunity to put their businesses in front of relevant investors and corporates, while our 2026 cohort will benefit from increased exposure in the run-up to VFS26.
“It adds real value to being part of the Venturefest South community and strengthens our ambition to support innovation and business growth across the Central South.”
Benjamin Storey, Head of Barclays Demo Directory at Barclays Eagle Labs, said: “We’re delighted to support Venturefest South through this collaboration, helping innovative businesses across the South Coast gain greater visibility with investors, corporates and commercial partners.
By bringing the Venturefest South community onto the Barclays Demo Directory, we’re creating a strategic pathway for ambitious founders to access funding, build valuable connections and explore new market opportunities. Together, we’re strengthening the region’s innovation ecosystem and helping more businesses accelerate their growth journey.
Supporting the Central South innovation ecosystem
The collaboration forms part of Venturefest South’s wider mission to strengthen the Central South’s innovation ecosystem by bringing together founders, investors, corporates, business leaders and innovation organisations.
Applications to join the VFS26 Innovator cohort are open until the end of September. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to showcase their innovation at the Festival of Innovation as well as gaining access to the exclusive VFS26 group.
In addition, tickets for the Festival of Innovation, which takes place at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday 18 November are also now available to purchase.
People interested in applying for an innovator space or wanting to buy a ticket should visit the website: www.venturefestsouth.co.uk
For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.
