This Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (IBBE) Showcase and Pitch Event is an opportunity for entrepreneurs with
start-up, early stage and growth businesses to increase their profile in front of a national audience of investors. The
pitching competition is organised jointly by CBMNet, BIOCATNET & the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network
(KTN) and is a unique opportunity for both entrepreneurs and investors to gain valuable insight.
FOR ENTREPRENEURS
This pitching opportunity is open to UK spin-outs and start-ups who are seeking investment (seed through to post
revenue) and who are working in the IBBE. As a spin-out / start-up this event is a great opportunity for you to meet
investors, discuss your business and hopefully take some steps towards getting the funding your company needs.
Business is done when people meet face to face; and our fun, relaxed format can create a real buzz about you and
your business. We will help you prepare your pitch in the run-up to the event to ensure that you know exactly what
to say and how to say it.
The opportunity includes:
- Live pitching to engaged specialist investors who are interested in investing in IBBE products and processes
- Funded pitch training – The KTN will deliver two workshops to help the businesses develop their pitch and
investment proposition before the selection day. More experienced entrepreneurs and companies who have
had pitch-training can apply to pitch directly on the selection day in May. We do recommend that you attend
the training (subject to numbers priority will be given to those who have not recently had any training). - Raising your company profile at a high-profile event
- Applicants will have the option to receive expert pitch training from the Knowledge Transfer Network at a specialist training event on Tuesday 10th April and Wednesday 25th April 2018. Applicants must attend a selection event on Thursday 17th May. The most promising finalists will give a live pitch to a panel of specialist investors and judges on Tuesday 12th June 2018.
Deadline for applications is 28th February 2018.
FOR INVESTORS
This is a chance to access exciting investment opportunities in this new and fast-growing IBBE sector, which is predicted
to be worth £12bn by 2025.
A series of short pitches from promising companies at a range of investment stages will be reviewed by you and a
panel of investors. There will then be an opportunity for one-to-one conversations at the networking reception.
Investors wishing to participate should register here.
THE EVENT
You and other pitchers will each deliver a short 7-minute pitch, to a room of the UK’s leading Investors. After the
pitches there will be a networking session where investors are invited to circulate and chat with the companies that
particularly interested them.
APPLICATION PROCESS TO APPLY TO PITCH
The selection process to enable you to pitch is a four-stage process.
Stage 1 – Application
This is by a short online application. You will be asked who you are, what you do and why you are looking for
investment. Provide us with as much relevant information for us to understand your business proposition. The
applications will be reviewed and scored by an expert panel.
Stage 2 – Successful stage 1 applicants undergo pitch training (2 days)
This is focussed on the pitch structure and content and refining your business plan, is your pitch attention grabbing,
do you have a scalable business and are your financials robust. Day 2 will include a pitch critique and feedback day.
Stage 3 – Selection Panel
Successful applicants will pitch their business opportunity in front of a panel of experts. For applicants who may need
to travel a long distance we offer the opportunity to send us a pre-recorded pitch. Applicants will be provided with
brief feedback after the event and up to 12 applicants will be invited to present at the showcase event in London.
Stage 4 – Showcase Pitch Event
Applicants will pitch their business opportunity in front of investors. Followed by a networking event.
More information can be found here.
For enquiries, please contact Dr Jen Vanderhoven jen.vanderhoven@sheffield.ac.uk