As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, The University of Warwick will showcase how it's changing the world, as innovators join together for a snapshot of the future this January.

Taking place at Warwick Arts Centre on the 27^th January, The University of Warwick is launching its first-ever Festival of Innovation and Grassroots Growth Summit, kicking off next year’s celebrations of 60 years of innovation, collaboration and transformational spirit.

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Warwick, said, “This is an opportunity to take stock of the achievements of the past six decades. It is also a chance to renew our commitment to a further 60 years of innovation and collaboration.

“The celebrations will foster a positive, lasting impact for years to come as we look ahead to a future that is defined by our transformational spirit.”

An open and interactive experience for SMEs, investors and regional innovation leaders as well as University alumni, staff and students and the local community, the all-day, free-to-attend Festival will feature hands-on exploration of the University’s work in CleanTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and CreaTech.

Innovations on show will include pioneering sense-based Alzheimer's taste-test screening, the sewage powered Waste2Race Le Mans Prototype race car, an immersive gaming and scent experience, new technology from the Clean Transport Accelerator (in collaboration with NatWest), autonomous vehicles, and groundbreaking agricultural robots.

Alongside this, the University’s Warwick Innovation District is hosting an entrepreneur, founder and SME Grassroots Growth Summit, which will connect businesses with organisations, academics and peers who can help them.

The Summit will facilitate attendees engaging with industry leaders, innovators, policy makers and stakeholders, each driving positive change through innovation.

A forum to demonstrate growth through progress, visitors will be able discuss topics such as inclusive innovation and hear success stories from experts and entrepreneurs.

To date over 4,000 businesses have been supported on their entrepreneurial journeys by The University of Warwick and over £250m in investment has been secured by businesses who have been through the Warwick ecosystem.

David Plumb, Chief Innovation Officer at The University of Warwick said “The Festival of Innovation and Grassroots Growth summit will celebrate our innovative spirit – something that was born 60 years ago and continues to be at the core of our work.

“We will be celebrating the success of businesses who have been supported by The University of Warwick and showcasing the transformative innovation that has been borne out of our world-leading research and education.

“We will also bring together experts and entrepreneurs who will share their experiences of growing and scaling businesses as we collectively drive inclusive economic growth in the region.”

The announcement comes as the University of Warwick recently revealed plans for 2025, as it gets set to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Premiering with the Festival of Innovation in January and culminating in a stunning light festival in November, The University of Warwick and its community will come alive with a diverse programme of events across the year.

With more activities to be announced, the anniversary will cement Warwick’s ambition to provide not just a world-class education for its students, but also an environment that reflects its innovative spirit and diversity.

To attend both FREE events, simply register here.

For more information, visit The University of Warwick 60th Anniversary.

 

ENDS

Date: Monday 27 January 2025

Location: Warwick Arts Centre

Timings: Festival of Innovation - 10am-5pm, Grassroots Growth Summit - 11 am-4.30pm

To register, please visit: https://updates.warwick.ac.uk/form/foi_booking