5 SMEs will launch Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026

Business leaders will share their personal and professional experience of small business R&D to kick off Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026.

Four leaders from innovative companies in Leicester and Leicestershire will take part in a fireside chat about innovation in action at the event on Monday 9 March in central Leicester.

Conversation will be facilitated by George Oliver, Managing Director of 1284 Communications, as the audience hears real world stories of small business approaches to R&D, growth, and creativity.

George will speak with a panel of four local leaders, each of them with a record of innovation in their own industry:

• Gerry Boyce, Director, Hive Composites and Met-Ol
• Janie Morgan-Wood, Director, Frock Tales Ltd
• Craig Roberts, Business Manager, Cande Group
• Angela Orton, Director, Structural Adhesives

Attendees can expect honest reflections, lived experience, and actionable insights from local founders and leaders shaping the future of the region’s economy. You can book now here.

The funded event marks the official start of the week-long festival and is led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub. 

Running from 9-13 March across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, the festival celebrates the region’s innovation community.

Ten events have been carefully curated to bring togetherentrepreneurs, educators, and industry experts with a shared interest in exploring research, productivity, and collaboration.

SME leaders will gain the chance to access expert guidance on funding and business growth across the week. As well as discovering new tools and technologies to enhance productivity, they can learn about finance options, and network with peers, investors and academic experts. 

Delegates can also learn about innovation support services, explore university and specialist partnerships, and stay informed on AI, cyber security and other digital manufacturing trends.

Celebrating local innovation

Across the week, SMEs and business leaders can explore emerging technologies, access guidance on funding and growth, and connect with university and industry specialists helping to drive productivity forward.

From digital manufacturing and AI to cyber security and sustainability, the festival provides a platform for knowledge sharing and collective inspiration - showcasing the strength of the Leicestershire business community.

Leicestershire Innovation 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 as well as being able to register here.

Need to know

What is Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026?

Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026 is the eighth annual week‑long programme of events. Led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, it runs from 9-13 March 2026 across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and celebrates local innovation, R&D, productivity and growth.

How can SMEs benefit from attending the festival?

SME owners and business leaders can access expert guidance on funding and growth, discovering new tools and technologies to boost productivity, networking with peers and investors, and learning about innovation support services, partnerships and digital trends such as AI and cyber security.

How can Leicestershire SMEs get involved in the Innovation Festival 2026?

Leicestershire SMEs can get involved by booking onto the launch event here and other sessions covering innovation funding, AI, cyber security, digital manufacturing and university collaboration. Business owners can use the festival to access expert support, meet innovation partners and discover routes to R&D and business growth through the Business Gateway Growth Hub.