upSTART Belfast Startup Pitch Battle

by Startacus Admin

'Bringing the passion, skill, and drama of a boxing match to the Tech Startup arena'

Startacus has teamed up with leading European Tech and enterprise event Digital DNA to deliver a boxing style Pitch Battle for Tech Startups!

upSTART Belfast 8th June 2016

This is a one-day pitching battle that will see high growth potential startups from the digital space take to the ring to pitch their business to a panel of industry leaders, and enterprise experts in front of an audience of investors, brands, and the media.

This opportunity is open to applications from Startups the World over - NI, Ireland, UK, Europe, the US... as long as you can commit to being at the Pitch itself then we look forward to hearing from you!!

It is a fantastic opportunity for tech / digital startups to showcase their innovations and compete against other up-and-coming businesses, for the chance to win an impressive array of prizes and support.

If your startup is yet to receive substantial investment but has the potential to become a high-impact player in your industry, then we want to hear from you.

upSTART is open for applications for Startups from Monday 11th April until Sunday 15th May. The shortlist will be announced on Wednesday 18th May, with the pitch battle taking place on 8th June.

You can make your application here.

The Prizes

The winner of upSTART Belfast at Digital DNA will receive up to a £50,000 package of financial and support prizes that currently includes:

• Cash Prize of £5,000

• Golden Ticket to Dream Builder 4 week programme by Wonka Lab in California

• One day strategy session with Deloitte Ventures team in London

• Six month accountancy support from Deloitte-see details here

• Exhibition space and two VIP passes to Digital DNA 2017

• Access to the Digital DNA Trade Mission to San Francisco & Palo Alto in March 2017

• Startacus Platform - Business Case Study

• PR consultancy support 1 day per month for 6 months

• Six months of Legal consultancy provided by Mills Selig

• A two hour masterclass & discussion around Crowdfunding from Seedrs Campaign Success Manager

• The Tycoon branding consultancy package from Brandsworth- see details here

• The opportunity to engage directly with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Alumni during the main Digital DNA programme

• The opportunity to have private one-to-one meetings with investors

• The opportunity to engage with industry experts in a hands-on and personalised environment

• A private networking opportunity for startups & investors

But even if your startup isn’t named the winner of upSTART, there are huge potential benefits to be enjoyed simply from taking part including;

• The potential for private one-to-one meetings with investors
• The opportunity to engage with industry experts in a hands-on and personalised environment
• A private drinks reception for startups & and investors
• All pitching startups will also have access to wider promotion and free media coverage on Startacus.net during and following the pitch battle.

Gareth Quinn, who runs Digital DNA explains how upSTART Belfast fits into the existing Digital DNA event.

“We are hugely excited to launch upSTART Belfast, the latest evolution of our Digital DNA programme. We are passionate about recognising and supporting startups with high growth potential and upSTART Belfast will give startups from across Europe and further afield the opportunity to come to our amazing city and pitch for a top-class prize in front of some of the most well known names in the startup arena. We are working with some amazing and very well known partners including Seedrs, Startacus, Deloitte Ventures, Start Planet NI and many others to deliver what will quickly become one of the hottest startup competitions on the planet!”

If you have a startup that hasn’t yet received substantial investment, but has the potential to have a major impact on your industry then you should apply for upSTART Belfast.

Get your application in before midnight on Sunday 15th May

Follow Startacus and Digital DNA on Twitter for updates and good luck to all!

• #upstart belfast
• #belfast pitch competition
• #digital dna
• #tech startup

Published on: 11th April 2016