Event Outline: Accelerating Growth Investment Showcase

Key dates and milestones for applicants

KEY DATES & MILESTONES for CANDIDATES	DATE / ACHIEVED BY
Applications open	29 July
Deadline for companies to submit application form attaching their 1-page executive summary and logo	9 September 9am
1st Online Panel Selection Session with external investor panel + internal observers	1, 2 and 3 October
2nd Online Panel Selection Session with external investor panel + internal observers
3rd Online Panel Selection Session with external investor panel + internal observers
Written feedback following online panel selection sessions for forwarding to ventures by the centres/university teams	w/c 7 Oct
Deadline for electronic presentations required for use at the Pitch Practice sessions	18 Oct 5pm
Pitch Practice sessions @ local venues	– 22 Oct: Bath – 23 Oct: Exeter – 24 Oct: Surrey
Notification to inform companies about the outcome of the final selection following the Pitch Practice sessions + Information Pack with info on the stand + exhibition requirements form	w/c 28 Oct
Deadline for updated company 1-page summary (if updating was required following feedback received after the Online Panel Selection Days) Deadline for companies to submit their exhibition requirements form	7 Nov, midnight
Pitch refinement sessions – Zoom session with Tim Doidge	11, 12 and 13 Nov
Webinar – How to get the most out of the event	TBC
Pitch deck design option with Kinga Fodor	w/c 18 Nov
Deadline for presenting companies to submit electronic presentations for use at the event	22 Nov midnight
Final Information Packs sent to exhibiting/pitching companies along with draft Delegate List	w/c 25 Nov
Pre-Event: 3.00pm – 6.00pm: Setup and dress rehearsal of presentations Optional dinner – location TBC	Tuesday, 3 Dec
Pre-Event: 6.30am: Setup and dress rehearsal of presentations Event: 8.30am – 12.00noon: Investment Showcase	Wed, 4 December One Great George Street, London

Selecting the companies to exhibit and pitch (all stages are compulsory):

STAGE 1: Once applications are validated, companies will be invited to attend an online pitching session. A maximum of 45 companies will pitch online (if applications exceed this number, applicants will be selected on a first to apply basis).

At the online selection session, each company will give a 5-minute pitch to a panel of external investors and experienced entrepreneurs. A 10-minute Q&A + feedback from the panellists will follow each pitch.

The aim is to select 24-27 companies to go to the next phase of the programme.

STAGE 2: Selected companies will be invited to pitch live in 3 different locations in front of an audience of local investor and experienced entrepreneurs who will provide feedback. At the end of these sessions, 18-20 companies will be selected to pitch at the London showcase.

STAGE 3: Selected companies will be given further support to hone their pitch ready for the showcase via their local incubators and the will attend an online pitch refinement session delivered by a trainer.

 

All companies selected to pitch at the showcase on 4th December will be required to attend a practice session on the evening of 3rd December, so accommodation will be required for the night of 3rd at your own cost. All exhibitors will need to bring 1-2 additional members of their team at the event.

5-minute Pitch Guideline:

What are they looking for in a pitch and what questions do they want answered?

In general, the audience are looking for an overview/snapshot of your value proposition in the time allocated. They are not expecting huge amounts of detail about how your solution works but are in general more interested in the overall business opportunity that you are presenting. As a guide it is recommended that you cover off the following questions:

• The Problem
  What is the problem that you are trying to solve?

• The Solution
  What is your solution to that problem?

• The Opportunity
  What is the market opportunity for your solution?

• The Business Model
  Explain how the business model works?
  How are you going to make money and what investment are you looking for?

• The Team
  Who are they and what is their relevant experience?
• The Ask
  What do you need in terms of next steps?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 07365 994449.

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