Leicestershire Innovation Week 2021 got off to a flying start today (21 June) with some amazing presentations from inspiring companies and individuals.
The official launch event, ‘First Steps to Business Blast Off’, was organised by the Business Gateway Growth Hub in partnership with Space Park Leicester and attended by over 50 people. Hosted by Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership’s Innovation Board, the online event used the idea of innovation in space to demonstrate how this can bring real benefits to our everyday lives back on earth.
Leicester University’s Prof Martin Barstow shared the 60-year history of space research at the University and pointed out that every space mission since 1967 has used a piece of equipment made there, so innovation is a long-standing feature of this sector.
Astronaut Dr Suzie Imber inspired the audience with her passion for space exploration and mountaineering which she has combined to use satellite technology to discover new mountains in South America.
Rachel Tidmarsh, MD of Bluesky International, also amazed the audience with satellite imagery and its many uses which include mapping trees by height and type, traffic management and monitoring crime in poorly lit parts of a city. The applications of this technology are expanding rapidly to address a huge range of issues here on the ground.
Dr Kotecha commented “We couldn’t have asked for a better start to Innovation Week. All of our speakers were top class and living innovation every day in their businesses. That’s really the message of the week for all businesses of any size in Leicestershire – make innovation part of your organisation’s culture from now on and that will help your business to grow and thrive.”
A full programme of events – 18 in total – is planned for this week, covering fashion, computer gaming, food and drink, female leaders, business start-ups and more. All events are free and take place online. To book your tickets, visit www.bizgateway.org.uk/innovation.
