The second annual Bendigo Invention + Innovation Festival will kick off next Monday with a symposium featuring talks, workshops and panel sessions.
The week-long festival, now in its second year, grew from the Bendigo Inventor Awards and includes events that promote innovative approaches to business.
Organisers say the festival promotes Bendigo's reputation as an innovative city where ideas are born and nurtured.
"We see the festival as a key initiative in fulfilling our purpose of supporting Greater Bendigo businesses to be prosperous, sustainable and innovative," Be.Bendigo chief executive officer Dennis Bice said.
The symposium will cover such topics as building a regional startup community, the future of water; innovative marketing, and funding ideas, among others.
The festival's program has free and paid events, including the Invention + Innovation Awards, a regional growth summit, the Festival of Failure and the Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music.
Last year more than 1000 people attended the festival over seven days.
For more information, visit the Bendigo Invention + Innovation Festival website.
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