ROBOTS, driverless cars and other ingenious inventions are set to take centre stage, as Venturefest returns to the city.

The annual event, which opens for registration next week, offers scientists, academics and business people a chance to exhibit ideas, make contacts and net potential investors.

Now in its 19th year, it will take place on June 21 at the King’s Centre, Osney Mead.

With the theme of ‘From start-up to scale-up’, it will include workshops, panel discussions, key-note speakers and competitions.

Venturefest Oxford’s executive director Lynn Shepherd said: “We want to build on last year’s success, so this year we are also focusing on businesses over four or five years old, not just entrepreneurs.

“These are people who have a bit of traction but are asking ‘What do I do now?’”

She added: “We have to encourage them to scale-up and keep growing, because that is what drives the county’s growth.”

A life science industry showcase will discuss how to achieve rapid growth and include an interactive session on intellectual property.

There will also be an exhibition of innovations from Harwell and Culham science parks, including Culham’s robotics centre.

The one-day event, expected to attract more than 1,000 visitors, will close with a debate, ‘Brexit: One Year On’.

Other highlights include Dragons-Den style Pitching for Success sessions, where entrepreneurs pitch to the Venturefest audience.

There will also be a conference run by women’s networking group TechTonic, with the theme ‘Impact of Gender on Entrepreneurism’.

Ms Shepherd expects this to bring 100 more women into the event.

She explained: “We want to get more women to Venturefest and I think this will attract more to come and discover what happens here.”

The evening before Venturefest, winners of this year’s Oxford Trust Enterprise Awards 2017, which recognise entrepreneurs in science and technology, will be announced at an awards ceremony at the King’s Centre.

These include three categories, including the Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Award which carries a £5,000 prize.

Other categories are Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and Up and Coming Company of the Year.

Tickets to Venturefest cost £35, or £50 on the door.

This includes entry to all sessions and refreshments including lunch plus an evening drinks reception.

Oxford Bus Company shuttle buses will run between Seacourt park and ride, Oxford train station and the Kings Centre.

Venturefest 2017 opens for registration from April 19. For details, see venturefestoxford.com