Advanced Engineering 2020, the UK's largest annual engineering event, is on the hunt for start-ups to showcase their latest products and innovations.

The show will take place on 4 and 5 November at the NEC, Birmingham, and Advanced Engineering is encouraging start-ups to apply for the chance to showcase their new technologies free-of-charge in the Enabling Innovation Zone, the event’s area dedicated to new and exciting businesses whose products and ideas could revolutionise sectors including mobility, propulsion, health, climate, or the speed and efficiency of advanced manufacturing.

Successful applicants will receive a branded plinth, along with full digital marketing and PR support before, during and after the show, including space in the show’s catalogue, as well as on its Web site and social media.

This will allow emerging companies to reach thousands of potential customers and network with leading industry players, top UK tech companies, and potential investment partners.

During the show, each start-up will present their innovation to a panel of leaders from the engineering sector. The winner will be announced before the show’s closure and will be granted a full stand, free-of-charge, in the following year’s show.

Advanced Engineering 2020 will attract exhibitors and visitors from all engineering sectors, to visit multiple shows all under one roof, dedicated to different but parallel sectors of manufacturing, including aerospace, automotive, composites, performance metals and connected manufacturing.

Gerald Law, chief executive at Innovation DB and one of last year’s judges, said: “Advanced Engineering offers exciting innovative businesses the chance to be seen by thousands of visitors and to present their new products to many interested companies.”

Law’s words are echoed by Evangelos Zympeloudis, CEO of last year’s showcase and pitch winner, iCOMAT, a spin-out from the University of Bristol that developed a patented process to produce advanced carbon fibre composites for the aerospace, automotive and marine sectors.

Mr Zympeloudis said: “Advanced Engineering is certainly the ‘go-to’ trade-show for composites in the UK and has provided visibility to our business, enabling us to engage with existing customers and partners, but also create new contacts.”

“The show was very productive for iCOMAT and enabled us to create several new links, some of which materialised into development projects. The Enabling Innovation Zone is an excellent initiative that gives the opportunity to engineering start-ups and spin-outs, such as iCOMAT, to showcase their technology to the ideal audience.”

The deadline for start-ups to apply to take part in Advanced Engineering 2020 is 31 July. For more information contact or visit the Web site (www.advancedengineeringuk.com).