Polar Bear Startup Pitching not for the cold hearted

by Startacus Admin
We’ve written plenty about startup pitch competitions here at Startacus. But if you want shock value, we think this one pretty much beats the rest. Think ice bucket challenge x 100, whilst also giving your startup pitch, and you’ve kinda got the concept of Polar Bear Pitching.
We only heard about Polar Bear Pitching just after this years event had already taken place (14th and 15th 15th Feb 17), but the concept was more than a little intriguing.
Polar Bear Pitching gathers startup participants from around the world every year to Oulu in Finland. Unlike in other pitching competitions, in Polar Bear Pitching there is no time limit, however, the entrepreneurs have to give their pitches while standing waist deep in ice cold water on a stage carved in the frozen Baltic Sea!
However, with a €10k cash prize, a two weeks stay at Hacker Hotel, Mustakarhu in Silicon Valley and an office for two weeks in Plug and Play Tech Center in Silicon Valley too, this event is not just for the shock value, and some serious startups from all over the world gather to take part in this annual event.
The overall 2017 winner Virta is developing a platform that provides tools and services for running an EV (electric vehicle) charging business anywhere in the world.Virta serves the entire EV charging ecosystem and allows running EV charging services ranging from large professional EV charging networks to single charging points.
Anyhow with this pitch comp concept, the video below really does paint a true picture of the event itself, so why not take 5 minutes out and take a watch - you’d be cold hearted not to!
Virta
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Tech Nation calls for tangible support to secure capital, talent, growth and exits needed to accelerate the growth of UK tech in decade ahead.

Glasgow-based This is Milk seeks investment for Neve Learning, its cloud-based Ed-Tech platform that has inclusivity and accessibility at its core.

With the UK facing a clear digital skills gap, Amy Caton, Digital Talent and Impact Senior Manager at BT Group shares some insights on what businesses should do to close that divide.

The lowdown on Berlin-based Beazy and its innovative solution that helps teams to plan, produce and deliver creative content and helps businesses to connect with talented content creators.

The lowdown on Fluffy, the app offering dog training, 24/7 vet messaging and insurance to give pet owners peace of mind and support them with their pet care responsibilities.

Huckletree's new Web3 HQ aims to put London’s West End at the forefront of Britain’s tech superpower ambitions.

Leading sports marketing platform, OpenSponsorship announces move into music sector, the first new vertical industry for the trans-Atlantic martech business.

Kingussie High School scoops first place for Junior and Senior categories at this year’s Growing Future Assets Competition.

The lowdown on Manchester-based Arctic Shores and its innovative recruitment solution to help candidate potential count as much as skills and experience.

With the demand for tattoo removal now greater than ever, specialist NAAMA Studios makes a bid for a further £11m in funding.
Published on: 19th February 2017
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Tech Nation report reveals UK Tech could quadruple in value by 2032 with right conditions 23rd Mar 2023 Tech Nation calls for tangible support to secure capital, talent, growth and exits needed to accelerate the growth of UK tech in decade ahead.
- Neurodiverse learning and training platform Neve shares major six-figure investment opportunity 22nd Mar 2023 Glasgow-based This is Milk seeks investment for Neve Learning, its cloud-based Ed-Tech platform that has inclusivity and accessibility at its core.
- Huckletree opens new London hub for tech companies pioneering Web3 solutions 16th Mar 2023 Huckletree's new Web3 HQ aims to put London’s West End at the forefront of Britain’s tech superpower ambitions.
- OpenSponsorship making its move into the music sector 16th Mar 2023 Leading sports marketing platform, OpenSponsorship announces move into music sector, the first new vertical industry for the trans-Atlantic martech business.