Registration period open for 4th edition of IDEAS Fair
The registration period is now open (www.feriadelasideas.es) for the fourth edition of the IDEAS Fair, organised by PITA, the University of Almería and the Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science. This fair welcomes all enterprising entrepreneurs, members of the university and secondary education communities, and any other individuals with new business ideas or projects.
The Ideas Fair will be held at the University of Almería (UAL) on 4th May. Organisers are expecting this edition to surpass the total number of participants in 2010. Last year’s fair included 132 registered projects, 104 of which had their own exhibitor, and 178 entrepreneurs involved overall.
The numbers of projects presented and exhibitors doubled at the 2010 edition with respect to the previous year. The number of entrepreneurs alone jumped from 53 to more than 100. Those presenting projects were comprised of 31% women, 38% men and 31% mixed teams. Also at the fair were 60 investors and consolidated companies representatives interested in learning about the new initiatives. The increased presence of these groups allowed the owners of the most incipient ideas to receive practical advice regarding their projects, and also establish contact with parties possibly interested in financing their initiatives.
Last year’s edition also witnessed the submission of projects from a wide variety of sectors. Among the numerous projects presented were initiatives such as establishing trade connections with Russia, ecological taxis, a sewage consultancy firm and a website for emigrants.
The Ideas Fair consists of a permanent exhibition of display panels featuring ideas, projects presented and information about certain technology based companies. Also forming part of this exhibition are the information stands of several collaborating organisations (among which are the Regional Ministry of Economy, the Fundación Pública Andalucía Emprende (Enterprising Andalusia Public Foundation) and the agency known as IDEA). The fair programme also features a series of additional activities including talks by other entrepreneurs and cooperation forums. Moreover, the inauguration of the BANUAL Investment Forum is also scheduled to take place at this year’s edition. This initiative will seek to bring together a small group of ideas and/or companies worthy of establishing relationships with investors who belong to the network known as ‘Business Angels.’
