VENTUREFEST has attracted 1,500 delegates to its tenth annual science and technology conference.

Businesses and investors flocked to York Racecourse to network, seek advice and investment, discover new businesses and hear from inspirational speakers at the day-long event.

Two businesses are also up to win about £50,000 worth of business support, when the winners of the Investment Competition and Innovation Showcase are announced at a dinner tonight.

The main keynote speaker at Venturefest was Charles Cecil, managing director ofYork computer games developer Revolution Software, which created the Broken Sword adventure series.

Mr Cecil told the story of Revolution Software's successes in self-publishing and crowd-funding and advised businesses to combine creativity with technology to succeed.

He said: "Like so many things going forward the key to success for an economy is the ability to go forward creating exciting ideas using technology.

"There are many countries out there able to beat us on the technoloigy that's why we need to stick with the creativity and encourage it."

He advised young entrepreneurs to have a go at creating things to help them get ahead.

"Get together with a friend and produce something. It shows you have got dedication, and have taken the time and initiative to do it.

"It will require you to work for nothing, it will require you to fall out with your friends because you're working with them, but at the end of it, it is impressive."