Applications opened this week for Pitch10, which will showcase the top 10 most promising digital companies across the UK on the 20 February 2015.
Held at the prestigious number 10 Downing Street, this event offers a very special opportunity for the top digital companies to represent their tech business and the South West alongside some of the most influential people and businesses in the world.
Last year’s attendee lists included digital giants Google and Facebook, investors such as Highland Capital Partners and Octopus Investors and big brands like Sainsbury’s and Next, so it’s well worth fighting for a place. And you only have until 9pm on Friday 6 February to do it.
“The Prime Minister is genuinely excited by showcasing some of the UK’s most promising fast-growth digital and tech companies”
Eileen Burbidge, who is an on the advisory board for Pitch10 and a Partner at Passion Capital, told us:
“The first Pitch10 was held in July of last year because the Prime Minister and his team at No 10 Downing Street have been genuinely excited by and interested in showcasing some of the UK’s most promising fast-growth digital and tech companies.
Investment and press opportunities
Most of the audience will be technology/venture capital investors, but there will also be members of the press as well as some figures from government, including parliament ministers and members of the Prime Minister’s team.”
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We were keen to find out what had happened to the companies that took part last year and Eileen explained:
“Certivox and Digital Shadows, who presented at the first event in July, both accompanied the Prime Minister on his recent trip to Washington DC and meetings with the US government”
“Pitch10 is intended to provide additional exposure in many different facets including prospective investors, clients and partners so there are quite a number of stand-out success stories. One example is that two companies which presented at the first event in July (Certivox and Digital Shadows) both accompanied the Prime Minister on his recent trip to Washington DC and meetings with the US government.”
Time for the South West to shine
Some exciting London-based tech companies were a part of last year’s Pitch10 such as typing aid app SwiftKey and cloud collaboration software Huddle. But this year, we think it would be great to see some representation from the booming South West tech sector. We wanted to know if there was anything in particular the advisory panel were looking for when selecting the top 10 to encourage businesses to build the best applications possible.
Eileen told us that evidence of fast growth or commercial traction would be the most interesting aspect to highlight to the advisory panel.
So if you know of any exciting and fast growing tech companies in the South West that could do with a bit of a boost, pass on the message quick as applications will only remain open for just over a week. It won’t take a minute though, as all the applicants will need to do is describe the company in a maximum of 150 words!
Applications for Pitch10 are now open until 9pm on the 6 February 2015. Many thanks to Eileen Burbidge for taking the time to speak to us about Pitch10, you can find out more on the Pitch10 website and stay up to date by following the twitter hashtag #pitch10.
