The Pitch 2015

by Startacus Admin

Britain’s biggest small business competition has returned for its eighth year and is once again on a mission to find the best innovations the country has to offer.  

 

The Pitch has flourished from a localised startup and small business competition in the Bristol area 8 years ago, into one of the country's longest running and most well respected events of its type.  

 

They have widened their net substantially since the early days and are now a UK wide initiative providing support and a massive range of opportunities to startups and small businesses of all shapes and sizes. Whether your business is already on its feet, or is just an idea waiting to hatch, if it's an innovative and exciting venture that you are passionate about, The Pitch could well be the enterprise competition for you!   

 

Check out our interview with The Pitch founder Dan Martin for some insights into the application process as well as great tips and advice.

 

The first stage of applications takes place entirely online and consists of a written form, and 90 second pitch video!

 

The competition will close for applications on the 31st July, after which the best 100 startups / businesses / ideas will be placed on a shortlist and invited to attend training bootcamps in either Manchester or London, on the 8th / 22nd of October respectively.  

 

These training bootcamps are an essential part of the process and will help to equip you with all of the skills necessary to go forward and win the competition.  After attending you will complete a short online second stage application form, which will help the judging panel to whittle down the 100 shortlisted candidates into 30 finalists. Check out our feature on last year’s shortlist for a spot of inspiration.

 

The Pitch final will take place in Bristol on the 12th November, where each of the 30 finalists will pitch their business to a live audience consisting of judges, investors, press, and supporters!

What can you win?

 

Every year the volume and variety of prizes on offer increases, and of course this year is no different.  As well as the kudos that comes with being named as the winner of this prestigious award, some of the other things that you will receive include;

• A year in the spotlight with The Pitch and its media partners

• Free Vonage Multiline phone system for a year

• £2,000 of business advice services from ICAEW

• Free Xero accounting services for one year

• £500 worth of credit to spend with Moo

• Exclusive Gold Card membership from Huddlebuy

• MyeOffice 100 - Free flexible office space for four months in Central London

• 12 month SMS package from Firetext

• A package of creative, digital and strategic consultancy from Sift Media

• Online advertising with Sift Media

• LinkedIn Business account

• A year's UK Business Forums membership for The Pitch 100

• Lifetime membership of UK Business Forums

• Interview with BusinessZone.co.uk

• £500 of design resource from 99designs

• A comprehensive package of online solutions from .UK

A marvellous loot if ever we saw one!

 

For more information on how to get involved, pop yourself over to The Pitch website.

 

(PSST... you might find some of these recent articles useful along the way!)

 

Body language tips for pitching entrepreneurs

Eye contact tips for pitching entrepreneurs  

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• #the pitch 2015
• #small business competition

Published on: 24th June 2015