WIREDGOV

Businesses have been battling it out in front of HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York recently for a prestigious spot in front of global leaders at St James’s Palace next month.

A Dragon’s Den style event, ‘Pitch@Palace’ has seen more than 40 technology companies pitch to a panel of business judges. The prize is a place in the national final of HRH the Duke of York’s campaign, in front of an audience of judges from the world of entrepreneurship, technology, media and investment.

In the three years that Pitch@Palace has been running it has already helped over 205 businesses grow, with some now enjoying huge global success.

The boot camp is held twice a year. Today’s event was held at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and supported by Harwell Campus Management as well as STFC.

Events like this open up a whole world of opportunity. Regardless of making it on the stage at the Palace or not, being connected to the people in this room has given us an excellent start.

Rachel Druce
Easy Video

Welcoming the attendees, HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York said recently:

“Today is about raising your profile with Pitch@Palace, so we have a better idea how we can make a difference to your business. Today is about you and about adding value to you”.

All of the companies attending today were offered tips on how to develop and sharpen their pitch as well as advice on what their business needs to succeed, whether that is investment, introductions or strategic guidance.

Angus Horner, Director at Harwell Campus said: “Harwell is delighted to help its Patron, HRH Duke of York, to accelerate the growth of UK SMEs, to build an even more powerful Knowledge Economy. As founder of my own business, which is invested in Harwell, I understand how difficult and rewarding it is to plant an acorn and grow it successfully. Harwell and its friends have been fascinated to learn more about the exciting companies visiting Campus today and we will offer as much help as we can to help them realise their ambitions.”

Dr Tim Bestwick is the Executive Director of Business and Innovation at STFC. He said: “STFC and the Harwell Campus are thrilled to host the Pitch@Palace event recently. This is a great opportunity for the UK’s thriving entrepreneurial community, which STFC actively supports, and which is so important to the future of the UK economy”.

From the recent attendees, up to 15 will be offered the chance to pitch to global leaders at St James’s Palace on 2 November, hoping their idea will be catapulted to the next level. All of those tghat attended recently were also invited to the final networking event at the Palace.

More information is available on the Pitch@Palace website.

Further information for businesses hoping to work with STFC.

We have developed connections that we will carry through our business life. The networking opportunities with other business advisors is invaluable.

Wes Sugden-Brook
Drenched

This is an excellent event for early stage start-ups. Pitch@Palace provides the right connections. There is a missing link between start-ups and industry, and events like this have the potential to help us bridge that gap.

Haidin Rashid
Materialize.X