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North East entrepreneurs given chance to pitch to London angel investors

Entrepreneurs in the North East will be given the chance to pitch to London-based angel investors next month in an event organised by FinanceCamp North East, a newly established investment programme.

Those taking part in ‘Pitch Black’ will be given three minutes to win over a panel of three judges and the audience with their business pitch. Failure to make an impression will result in the pitcher being plunged into darkness.

Anyone passing the Pitch Black standard will automatically qualify to attend a special meeting of London investors seeking to invest in North East firms.

Format

One pitch will be chosen as the strongest by a panel of three judges:

• Michael Blakey, serial angel investor, Founder of Avonmore Developments and UK Business Angel Association Angel of the Year 2015/16
• Andy Fishburn, Head of Investment at Virgin Start Up – a not-for-profit Virgin Company, established by Sir Richard Branson to provide funding, advice and mentoring to early stage entrepreneurs in the UK
• Bill Hartshorne, Business Advisor for TEDCO Business Support and a former business banker who has a particular focus on helping new business starts with growth ambition.

A second pitch will be selected by the audience as The People’s Choice. In addition to attending the London pitch, both winners will secure first class travel to Virgin Headquarters in London to meet key members of staff from Virgin Group who will spend time reviewing their plans and sharing knowledge on how to make them fly.

Simon Green, Executive Director of Venturefest North East which organises FinanceCamp, said: “Pitch Black is designed as an exhilarating way to immediately put into practice the pitching skills of delegates who will have spent time perfecting their techniques.

“The test will come at the end of an inspiring day that’s dedicated to giving businesses all of the tools and knowledge they need to get hold of money to grow.

“The impending darkness certainly adds an element of drama but by this point in proceedings our businesses will be more than capable of impressing the audience before lights out!”

Carole White, Chief Executive at TEDCO, which has partnered with Venturefest to develop Pitch Black, added: “What we are offering businesses is a unique opportunity to effectively leapfrog the usual route to investment by brokering introductions with key individuals who can finance their ambitions and support their plans.”

FinanceCamp has been developed by the team behind the region’s annual innovation conference Venturefest North East, with backing from the North East LEP, North East Finance, the North East BIC and Innovate UK. Next month’s event will take place on June 21 at Ramside Hall, Durham.

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