Virgin Media Business has announced the top 32 businesses and innovators who have made it through to the Semi-Final stage of its entrepreneur competition ‘#VOOM: Pitch to Rich 2015’.
The Semi-Finalists were whittled down from the top 250 pitches which received the most public votes since the competition launched in March. In total, over 2,500 pitches were submitted and over 550,000 votes cast.
People now have until 16 June to vote for their favourite pitch from the list of Semi-Finalists, whose ideas range from food, finance, extreme sports and social initiatives. The top nine will then pitch their business ideas, at the live Finale on 26 June, to Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Media Business Managing Director Peter Kelly and their panel of judges: Jon Oringer, Jo Malone, Justine Roberts and David Gandy.
The winners will each win a slice of the £1 million prize fund up for grabs.
Ben Hogan, one of the co-founders of The App Developers, says,
“It’s a real honour to have been included in the semi-final shortlist for the Pitch to Rich competition. The App Developers was borne out of a real passion for creating new apps and driving innovation in the sector, and to have our work recognised in this way is a real thrill.
We’ve gone from strength to strength over the last few years, and winning the Pitch to Rich competition would be the icing on the cake for us – we’d just like to urge all of our loyal customers, clients and fans of our work to get voting!â€Â
Peter Kelly, Managing Director of Virgin Media Business, said:
“We are celebrating the creativity, ingenuity and acumen that exists in the UK and encouraging more budding entrepreneurs to confront their fears and go for it! We are backing today’s entrepreneurs so they can be a part of tomorrow’s success.
“Our 32 Semi-Finalists are from all corners of the UK, from Hampshire to the Highlands, and each and every one of them should feel incredibly proud. We wish them all the best as they look to secure votes to get through to the Finale.â€Â
Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder, said:
“The calibre of ideas that have been submitted to the Virgin Media Business Pitch to Rich competition is fantastic. It’s clear that the UK is producing some brilliant entrepreneurs and we need to do all we can to support them. This has been a tough decision to make but for the Semi-Finalists the adventure continues.â€Â
The three competition categories are:
Start-up: for exciting new businesses with huge potential.
The winner gets £150,000 marketing support plus mentoring and help from Virgin StartUp’s professional business advisers for a year. Two runners-up receive £50,000 marketing support.
New Things: for big new ideas with the capacity to disrupt.
The winner gets £50,000 cash towards development, plus mentoring from Virgin’s Investment Team. Two runners-up receive £10,000 each towards development.
Grow: for existing businesses that are ready to go big-time.
The winner gets £250,000 marketing support, and two runners-up receive £100,000 marketing support.
All three category winners will also receive a full internet and fixed and mobile voice package from Virgin Media Business for 12 months, unlimited travel on Virgin Trains for 12 months, a place on the Accelerator Network programme (www.theacceleratornetwork.com/), a free package of pro bono advice from the ICAEW Business Advice Service (www.businessadviceserviceblog.com) and a membership to the not-for-profit private members club at The House of St Barnabas (www.hosb.org.uk).
The Semi-Finalists in each category are:
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