Preston named as host city for new Lancashire innovation and tech festival

Preston has been announced as the host city for LIFT, the inaugural Lancashire Innovation, Funding and Tech festival.

Produced by Innovate Lancashire - a Lancashire County Council economic growth programme - LIFT will bring together founders, business leaders and key influencers for a half-day event at Chew’s Yard, Market Street, on June 12.

LIFT will feature a four-hour programme of keynote talks, fireside chats and panel discussions featuring entrepreneurs, investors, finance experts and tech sector specialists. 

Preston Partnership, the private sector-led business group with over 200 members, has been announced as the host sponsor for LIFT.

The announcement of LIFT follows Preston’s success hosting February’s Convention of the North (CoN), which saw over 800 political and business leaders, including government ministers, attend events at Lancashire County Council and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Preston Partnership also played a key role, hosting a fringe event for 200 guests.

 Rob Binns, director at Preston Partnership, said: “Preston Partnership exists to tell Preston’s story, shape its future and bring together an ambitious community.

"By sponsoring LIFT, we’re helping spotlight Preston’s pivotal role in Lancashire’s growing tech and innovation eco-system. Events such as LIFT help create the conditions for investment, collaboration and long-term economic growth.

"Following the Convention of the North and the February opening of the new Animate leisure scheme, the arrival of LIFT in Preston is yet another sign of the growing momentum in the city."

 Innovate Lancashire’s programme lead, Hannah Churchman, said: "LIFT is a new innovation, tech and early-stage finance event aimed at dynamic entrepreneurs and progressive industry leaders across the whole of the county.

"For its inaugural event, Preston, which is home to an expanding tech and digital economy and a growing community of ambitious founders, was seen as an obvious location.

“Being able to work with a business-led organisation like Preston Partnership was another reason to bring LIFT to the city.

"The partnership understands the value of bringing the private and public sectors together to drive business growth and create new investment opportunities, and it supports the initiatives like Preston Innovates. 

“The synergies between Innovate Lancashire’s countywide objectives and what’s happening in Preston - especially in the tech, digital and innovation space - are clearly very strong, and we greatly value the support and involvement of Preston Partnership in LIFT as its host city sponsor.”

Christina Cort, partner at Chew’s Yard, said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see so many companies and individuals choosing Chew’s Yard as an event venue.

"High profile events like LIFT and the Convention of the North coming to Preston help people see the city in a new light, inspiring confidence in what this place has to offer. Success breeds success. Preston should aim high and over deliver every time.”

In 2024, Preston Partnership commissioned the Nurturing Preston’s Innovation Ecosystem report, which was conducted by Plexal.

The report recommended enhancing collaboration among stakeholders, improving digital infrastructure and developing innovation hubs to capitalise on opportunities like the National Cyber Force's relocation to Samlesbury.

 The report led to the creation of Preston Innovates, an initiative powered by Preston Partnership to grow the city’s innovation ecosystem.

Focusing on tech, cyber, advanced manufacturing and green sectors, it is led by innovation ambassador, Shirah Bamber, and hosts events and collaborates across sectors to position Preston as an innovation hub.

 LIFT takes place on Thursday June 12 and will begin with arrival and networking from 12pm to 1pm, followed by the main programme from 1pm to 4:30pm. It will conclude with a drinks reception and DJ from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. To book tickets, visit here.