VentureVersity is a fully-funded programme, delivered by Loughborough University as part of the Research England-funded Forging Ahead initiative, helping University staff across the Midlands turn research into real ventures. Our free Find events are informal mixers where you can explore whether your research has commercial potential — no pitch required, just curiosity.
Open to University staff and researchers at the 16 Midlands partner universities — including PhD researchers, postdocs, research fellows, technicians and academics. Registration is free.
Kick off the July series in Shropshire — meet the VentureVersity team and fellow researchers at Harper Adams University's Edgmond campus.
Register Free →An early-evening mixer in Leicester city centre for researchers from the University of Leicester, De Montfort University and beyond.
Register Free →Hosted at NTU's enterprise hub — ideal for researchers at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham.
Register Free →Can't make it in person? Join this lunchtime virtual session from anywhere — hosted with Cranfield University.
Register Free →A lunchtime mixer in central Birmingham at Aston University's Enterprise Hub — for researchers across the West Midlands, including Aston, Birmingham and Birmingham City universities.
Register Free →The series closes in Derby — join us at the University of Derby's Creativity Lab for the final Find mixer of July.
Register Free →View all events and register free on Luma →
In autumn 2026, VentureVersity Connect events will bring selected projects together with the wider Midlands innovation ecosystem — entrepreneurial leads, collaborators, clients and investors — at regional hub showcases. Check back here or on the homepage for dates.
Can't make an event? Applications to the programme are open until 31 July 2026.
Apply to the Programme →Questions about eligibility, IP protection or how the programme works? See the VentureVersity FAQ.
