£40m fund on offer for innovators and entrepreneurs at Hampshire business conference
![Connell McLaughiln, CEO of Route Reports and Chris Allington, Chair of Venturefest South.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/imagefetch/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimage/1.8834513!image/image.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Connell McLaughiln, CEO of Route Reports and Chris Allington, Chair of Venturefest South.](/img/placeholder.png)
Venturefest South 2019 has announced an additional fund of £40m pledged by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) for innovators attending its event, on March 29 at the Ageas Bowl.
Venturefest South showcases latest technology at its interactive one-day event which features talks, seminars and workshops and investor pitching session.
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Hide AdGary Aitkenhead, Dstl chief executive said: ‘Venturefest South is a terrific opportunity to meet potential suppliers and explore ways we can work together.
![Venturefest South](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_1.8834514.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Venturefest South](/img/placeholder.png)
‘We’re especially interested in companies which have not traditionally worked in defence but have specialist expertise and fresh ideas.’
Chris Allington, chair of Venturefest South said: ‘This £40m fund from Dstl represents a major addition to the already substantial range of existing opportunities available for innovators and investors at the event.’
Last year Connell McLaughlin, then a first-year Aeronautics and Astronautics student at the University of Southampton, pitched his new application, Route Reports, to several investors. Four investors each pledged £100,000 towards his business.
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Hide AdConnell said: ‘Venturefest South was great and since then Route Reports has gone from strength to strength - the company is now based in San Francisco with a valuation of $2 million.
![Venturefest South](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_1.8834515.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Venturefest South](/img/placeholder.png)
‘Venturefest South was a really useful event for both pitching and making contacts and I urge anyone with an innovative product, service or even an idea to attend the event, you can’t help but be inspired to do great things.’
For more go to venturefestsouth.co.uk.