The winner will receive a top prize of 1000 Guineas (£1,050) and a trophy, the two runners-up will each win prizes of 500 Guineas (£525) and all will showcase their leading-edge business ideas to a world class panel of judges and businesses across the region and beyond.
The New Anglia and Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnerships and innovation clusters across the East are inviting companies in their region to grab the opportunity of presenting their inspired ideas, products or services to a panel of experts, investors and business champions as well as an audience of regional and global leaders.
The team of judges headed by David Gill, Managing Director of St John’s Innovation Centre, include:
• Ian Tracey, Head of Access to Finance, Knowledge Transfer Network, the UK’s innovation network, which fosters collaboration between science, creativity and business
• Maria Dramalioti-Taylor, Managing Partner at investment company Beacon Capital LLP
• Marie Deschamps, of London business angel syndicate, Entrepreneurs Partners
This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your business ideas to potential investors, partners and collaborators and make powerful connections with people who shape future technology on a world-wide stage.
The LEPs will shortlist 10 people or companies: five from the Norfolk and Suffolk area and five from the Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough area. All shortlisted businesses will be given a free display table at Venturefest East. Of those shortlisted by the LEPs, two will be selected to join the Fast and Furious pitch and join a further 10 individuals or businesses selected by the innovation clusters.
Those selected to pitch will secure free, essential pitching training with St John’s Innovation Centre and SET Squared, which provides support and training to high tech companies, on 4th May. The training will give ample time to polish the Fast and Furious pitches, before the Venturefest event on the 24th May.
The University of East Anglia (UEA), BT and French energy company Engie, are lead sponsors of Venturefest East. Professor David Richardson, UEA vice-chancellor, said:
“UEA encourages and supports the entrepreneurial talents of our students, graduates and academics through a number of services including UEA Enterprise, so I’m delighted to be working so closely with Venturefest East. The region has a wealth of enthusiastic and gifted entrepreneurs and the pitching competition provides a real opportunity for them to showcase their ideas in front of experts. I look forward to seeing the ideas they bring on the day.”
The application process is simple and straightforward. If you are based in Suffolk or Norfolk and wish to apply to Fast and Furious, please visit www.newanglia.co.uk to download the form and return it to [email protected] by Thursday 24th March.
Alternatively, applicants can apply through their own cluster organisations who might have their own application process.
The brainchild of St John’s Innovation Centre, Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), Venturefest East (VFE) is part of the Innovate UK series of events and provides opportunities to listen to the region’s innovation gurus.
The event which is set to attract 400 businesses, investors and entrepreneurs from across the East and beyond.
For further information on Venturefest East and to book your ticket visit www.venturefesteast.co.uk
To find out more about sponsorship opportunities please contact Kevin Coleman at [email protected].
If you would like to exhibit at Venturefest East please email [email protected]