The Pitch is back for 2021 with a mission to get 3,000 startups investment ready
The Pitch has returned for 2021 with a pledge to help 3,000 British and Irish startups get investment ready. The final 10 get to pitch to top investors for the opportunity to be mentored and potentially win investment.
The Pitch powered by Sage is a free-to-enter and independent competition run by the Inkwell team. The competition has helped startups raise tens of millions of pounds since launching in 2008 and is now open for applications.
The 2021 programme includes free online educational resources, webinars, workshops and live in-person pitching events, all designed to equip founders with the knowledge they need to advance their business and secure investment.
If you’ve launched a startup, proven your idea works and are seeking funding to take your business to the next stage, start your application now.
“Winning The Pitch has broken down barriers in that people who wouldn’t speak to us before are now speaking to us. It’s a phenomenal thing – it gives you confidence going into these meetings because they know you’re going to deliver something that’s award-winning.”
How will the 2021 programme work?
In the first level of the programme, businesses get access to educational content and videos to support their growth and improve their investment readiness (produced by our team in partnership with organisations like Crowdcube and Mission Ventures).
Our programme of invite-only, targeted webinars in level two ensures founders get the advice they need and delivers more value for our partners.
We’ll then take 45 startups to live semi-final events where they will pitch in front of investors and local journalists. Regional winners will be announced at each stage.
Finally, the top 10 startups will pitch to a room of industry-leading investors at The Pitch Final in London, followed by networking and a night of celebration.
“The Pitch is a great competition. Winning the People’s Choice award really validated what we were doing and was a massive confidence boost. Since the competition, I go into any pitching scenario confident of what I need to deliver. My pitch gets complimented all the time.”
How does The Pitch support startup founders?
At Inkwell, we help businesses reach and engage with startup audiences. Running The Pitch allows us to connect with some of the most exciting emerging startups, but it’s also a great opportunity to learn more about the advice and support they need.
Two of the most frequently cited challenges are building a network and meeting investors. As a result, The Pitch programme aims to connect startups with experts at every stage.
Last year, more than 1,000 people tuned into the semi-finals, which were judged by investors from companies like Deloitte Ventures, ClearlySo and Deepridge Capital. Industry-leading experts like Moneypenny founder Ed Reeves and Crowdcube founder Darren Westlake judged the final.
These connections clearly pay dividends for the entrepreneurs that take part – The Pitch 2019 finalists have raised more than £8.3m in the last 12 months (check out The Pitch 2020 finalists and watch their pitch videos on The Pitch website).
Want to join us?
If you want to enter The Pitch powered by Sage, start your application now. It takes less than 10 minutes and it’s completely free.
Interested in sponsoring the competition? Email me at will@inkwellagency.co.uk to learn more about The Pitch and how it can support your marketing goals.
