Events revealed for Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026

The schedule of events has been released for Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026.

The eighth annual festival, led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, takes place 9–13 March 2026 at venues across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.

The week-long event brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, and business leaders to celebrate local R&D, innovation, productivity, and growth.

Leicestershire Innovation Festival launched in 2018, going on to establish as a key regional showcase for sharing knowledge between industry, academic, nonprofit, and public sectors.

Here’s what attendees can register now to attend over the five-day programme:

Monday 9 March

• Business Gateway Growth Hub Launch Event. Hosted by the Growth Hub and speaking specifically about small business innovation.
• The Money Map: Funding Journeys that Power Innovation. Hosted by the British Business Bank, Forging Ahead, and Innovate UK to help businesses navigate funding and access capital.

Tuesday 10 March

• Building Resilient, High-Growth, Globally Competitive Life Sciences Cluster. Finance & Investment. Hosted by Charnwood Campus.
• Boosting SME Resource Efficiency with Digital Manufacturing. Interactive workshop hosted by Loughborough University.

Wednesday 11 March

• Rutland Business Summit: Innovation in a Rural Economy, The Rutland Story. A day of networking, learning, and bringing together innovative ideas hosted by Rutland County Council.
• Fortifying Your Business: AI and Cyber Security Strategies for Leading SMEs. Hosted by East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster.
• Growth Forum: Shaping Tomorrow Through Innovation. Hosted by the University of Leicester.

Thursday 12 March

• Skills Unlocked: Shaping Tomorrow's Talent Through Apprenticeships, Inclusion and AI. Hosted by Stephenson College.
• Boosting SME Resource Efficiency with Digital Manufacturing. Hosted by Loughborough University Business School and Interact.

Friday 13 March

• KTP: Access to Subsidised Innovation Workshop. Hosted by the Universities Partnership.
• Corporate Volunteering as a Driver of Economic Growth. Hosted by Leicestershire Cares.

Reasons to attend Leicestershire Innovation Festival

The festival offers SME owners and business leaders the chance to:

• Access expert guidance on funding and business growth
• Discover new tools and technologies to enhance productivity
• Network with peers, investors, and academic experts
• Learn about innovation support services
• Explore university and specialist partnerships
• Stay informed on AI, cyber security, and other digital manufacturing trends.

You can find times, venues and more details about each event - and register - through the Business Gateway Growth Hub here. All sessions are fully funded for SMEs.

Leicestershire Innovation Festival builds a collaborative regional innovation ecosystem that accelerates business growth and competitiveness.

By bringing public, private, and academic partners together, the event creates opportunities for SMEs to discover practical solutions, access funding, and build valuable networks.