This week is the last chance for ambitious start-ups and companies up to three years old to sign up for a unique day-long Venture Funding Pitch Workshop at ProlificNorthLive. Applications to present on the day close this Friday (22 January) afternoon.
Prolific North has partnered with the leading firm of auditors and financial advisers, RSM, for the workshop, which will see up to 20 companies delivering 15-minute pitches to a Dragon’s Den-style panel of VCs, business angels, advisors, fund managers and entrepreneurs across the day.
The Venture Funding pitch forms a key part of ProlificNorthLive, our ground-breaking expo which will be the biggest ever media, marketing and creative industries event to be staged outside London.
The application process has been kept deliberately simple and it certainly appears to be proving very popular with applications submitted from a wide variety of companies. They range from online social networks to apps addressing religious groups, students, financial services and health to the design of patterned jewellery, production companies and work-flow project management.
To apply for a chance to pitch, register your interest by completing the application form and sending it to Georgina.Jones@dontpanicprojects.com. The deadline for submitting is close of play this Friday 22 January. The companies who are selected to present on the day will be notified next week to enable them to prepare their presentations ahead of their day in the limelight on Tuesday 2 February.
Well over 90 companies are now signed up for the event, which takes place at Emirates Old Trafford on 2 February.
Nicola Horlick will be on the panel
Nicola Horlick, the renowned investment fund manager and entrepreneur in her right is one of the dozen financiers on the panel. And in addition to the panel comprising several of the North’s leading venture capitalists, we anticipate dozens more financiers, professional advisers, business angels and potential non-executive directors will be dropping in to several of the pitches throughout the day.
ProlificNorthLive attendees will also be able to join the workshop and watch pitches and offer their own feedback and share their experiences throughout the day in our dedicated 80-seater theatre space.
A number of the North’s leading financial advisers, investors and experienced business people have agreed to join the ‘Dragons’ panel and they include:
- Nicola Horlick / CEO Money&Co
- David Smith / Investment Director at AXM Venture Capital
- Rupert Wingate-Saul / Investment Manager at AXM Venture Capital
- James Wild / Corporate Finance Partner at RSM
- Ryan Bevington / Investment director at Maven Capital
- James Sheridan / Partner at Turner Parkinson
- Paul Hardman, co-owner Flix Facilities and financier/investor
- Mark Borzomato, Investment Director, MSIF
- Paul Taberner, Investment Director, Enterprise Ventures
- Peter Lusty, Chief Executive and Founder, Manchester Tech Trust
- Morgan Killick, tech entrepreneur and Growth Advisor, Business Sheffield
Other judges tbc
Good luck – we look forward to sharing in your future success!
Our four Event Partners for the ground-breaking expo, which takes place at Emirates Old Trafford on February 2, are Smoking Gun PR, mclcreate, A&P and Steamhaus.
