Exeter start-ups need your support to win prestigious Royal competition
Three innovative Exeter start-ups, each making giant steps in their respective industries, are calling on locals for support as they compete to win the People’s Choice Award at the prestigious Pitch@Palace final.
Biosystems Ltd, Build Solar and OTA Water, which are all supported by the SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre Exeter, have progressed into the final of the Pitch@Palace People’s Choice Award, where winning will give the businesses an opportunity to secure investment to support future growth.
The three start-ups all have ethical and sustainable technologies at the hearts of their businesses. Biosystems’ TruLarv™ technology is paving the way for non-mammal testing in science and healthcare, while Build Solar, which develops multi-functional materials to create sustainably built environments, turns buildings into clean energy generators. OTA Water is giving back to communities through its smart-water management system, which harvests rainwater to provide environmental and social benefits to schools across the UK.
Founded by the Duke of York in 2014, Pitch@Palace helps entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses connect with potential supporters, including CEOs, influencers, investors, mentors and business partners.
The annual competition sees entrepreneurs from across the UK pitch at regional ‘Pitch@Palace On Tour’ events, with 42 winners going on to Pitch@Palace Boot Camp. From here, 12 winning entrepreneurs are selected by a panel of judges to deliver a three-minute pitch to an influential audience at St James’s Palace on 12 June 2019. The remaining 30 companies each get a 30-second slot to pitch.
The People’s Choice Award is an opportunity to showcase the entrepreneurs to a broader audience and for the public to learn more and vote for their favourite.
To vote for your favourite, visit https://peopleschoice.pitchatpalace.com/event/pitch-palace-11-0. The winners of the People’s Choice award will also be announced at St James’s Palace on 12 June.
Biosystems Ltd, Build Solar and OTA Water are three of six SETsquared entrepreneurs to win a place in the Pitch@Palace final, including:
LettUs Grow
Biosystems Ltd
Build Solar
OTA Water
Kelda Technology
TISICS
Dr Olivia Champion, Co-Founder and CEO of Biosystems, said: “We are delighted to be in the final round of the Pitch@Palace competition. Thanks to our partnership with SETsquared we are now at the forefront of alternative research methods and are looking forward to sharing our vision further on 12 June!”
Jim Williams, Co-Founder of Build Solar, said: “Being part of Pitch@Palace has enabled us to make amazing new connections and reach a much wider audience. This has been really valuable for us as a technology start up based in Cornwall. We are thoroughly looking forward to the final and hoping to secure new sites to trial our technology by networking with developers, architects and construction companies who are part of the Pitch@Palace audience and beyond”.
Pete Melville-Shreeve, Founder and CEO of OTA Water, added: “Providing environmental and social benefits for schools is something we’re absolutely passionate about, so we’re overjoyed to get to the final of the Pitch@Palace competition. It gives us an excellent platform to build the connections we need to implement our systems on a wider scale, reaching more schools across the UK.”
The SETsquared Partnership is an award-winning and world-leading business incubator and start-up accelerator network which has supported more than 3,500 technology-based organisations through their lifecycle. As well as running seven of its own support programmes for members, SETsquared helps businesses identify other opportunities to access high-level support.
Joe Pearce, centre director at SETsquared Exeter, said: “All three Exeter start-ups are making waves when it comes to developing the vital technologies needed to shape a better future for everyone, but they need your support to continue making an impact. Pitch@Palace is the perfect platform to get in front of high-profile individuals who can really take businesses to the next level, so this is a really exciting opportunity for each of the teams. Get behind these promising Exeter businesses and cast your votes now!”
Winners of the Pitch@Palace competition will go on to compete in the global competition in December.
If you would like to find out more about how SETsquared can support your business, please visitwww.setsquared.co.uk
