Young companies are being invited to bid for a chance to raise between £10,000 and £5m at an international investment fair.

The fair, Venturefest, is being held at Culham Science Centre on June 25-26.

The event, intended to showcase Oxfordshire's fledgling high-tech companies, is growing bigger each year and registration figures already up on this time last year.

Several business looking for investment have already been invited to present their ideas to an audience of potential investors.

A few presentation slots are still available, and organisers want to hear from anyone who has a well-developed business plan and is looking for funding opportunities.

The presentations are supported by business angel networks the Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network (OION) and Venture Capital Report.

Last year all the companies who presented at Venturefest received some form of support from potential investors. George Whitehead, manager of OION UK said: "The UK has the largest and most developed venture capital market in Europe, second only to the USA in world importance."

"A business angel has the potential to bring more than just finance and should not be seen simply as a source of cash."

Business plans must be submitted by post or email as soon as possible, or at the very latest by May 30.

For details of the presentation slots, call Zoe Penn at Venture Capital Report on 020 7907 2902 or Placi O'Neill-Espejo at OION on O1865 811143.