All-Island start-up pitch competition BIG IDEAS opens for applications

by Startacus Admin

Innovative early-stage startups from across the island of Ireland are being sought for the BIG IDEAS pitch competition at Derry and Strabane Enterprise Week with a £4K prize on offer for the winner.

Applications are now open for the BIG IDEAS start-up pitch competition aimed at early stage start-ups from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, taking place during the BIG IDEAS event on 7th March in Derry~Londonderry.

Delivered by Startacus and in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council, BIG IDEAS  is a one-day event that forms a key part of the 2022 Derry and Strabane Enterprise Week..

The BIG IDEAS pitch competition will offer start-ups with disruptive and innovative high-growth potential business models the chance to win a cash prize of £4k, along with the opportunity to pitch to an impressive line-up of judges.

The judging panel includes Emma Steele, Partner at Ascension - an early-stage VC firm; Emily LaRocque, Associate at Landscape VC; Connor Sweeney, Project Manager of the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition , and Kate Fullen, Venture Analyst at Elkstone - a multi-family investment group investing at Seed/Series A stage across Europe and the US.

Drawing on digital innovation & best practice both locally and from around the world, the ethos of BIG IDEAS 2022  is to inspire existing businesses to take a fresh look at where they're at and explore new possibilities  whilst encouraging early-stage start-ups and founders to embrace new emerging opportunities.

The event will focus on three core themes:

• Accelerating Ideas & Innovation
• Creating Societal Change - People, Places, Environment
• Digitalising the Traditional - businesses using tech to change how they operate and increase the value they offer

The BIG IDEAS 2022 start-up pitch competition, supported by InterTradeIreland, Raise Ventures and RealTime Recruitment, is seeking to find innovative start-ups that align with one of these themes, offer innovative solutions and show real growth potential.

In addition, there is a Wildcard category for early stage start-ups with innovative solutions and products that fit outside of these core themes - e.g. innovation in finance, education or cyber security.

Eligible start-ups must be 28 months old or less and have raised £100k or less (in terms of grants, funds and investment).

Up to 10 NI and Republic of Ireland start-ups will be shortlisted and must be available to pitch live to the judges as part of the BIG IDEAS event on 7th March at The Playhouse,  Derry~Londonderry and also attend the early evening event when the winner of the competition will be announced and the £4K cash prize will be awarded.

Final applications close at noon on 28th February and start-ups may also be shortlisted by Startacus before this date. All shortlisting decisions are final and any start-ups who miss the application closing date will only be invited to pitch if slots become available.

Interested start-ups can also reach out directly to Alastair Cameron, Co-founder at Startacus via alastair@startacus.net to discuss applying.

Applications can be made here where you can also review the competition terms and conditions. Good luck to all who apply! 

 

 

 

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Published on: 11th February 2022