Venturefest East Midlands - 16h March 2016
Next Generation Competition
What is Venturefest?
Drawing together the local innovation eco-system, Venturefest East Midlands is a unique business showcase and
networking event for innovators, investors and entrepreneurs, aimed at creating a place for exchanging ideas,
exploring opportunities, and even possibly negotiating deals. For more information see
www.venturefestem.co.uk
What is the Next Generation Zone?
Whether have you have already set-up in business, or just have an idea, the Next Generation Zone (NGZ) is a
chance for you to showcase your idea / business to business owners, investors and potential partners.
How does it work?
The Next Generation Competition will be open to all businesses under three years old, split into two categories:
New Business Idea – This will be aimed at those who haven’t yet launched their business or have been trading
for under 1 year or less (on 16th March 2016).
Early Stage Business – This is aimed at those who have developed their ideas into a business and have been
trading for 1-3 years (on 16th March 2016).
How to enter the competition
To enter, you will need to submit a short 90 second video to your University (contacts below) showcasing your
idea. The aim of this video is to give an overview of your business/idea, your business plan, who your target
audience is and what you intent to do with the prize money. Please be aware your video may be promoted on
the Venturefest EM website in the run up to the event. This video will only be judged on the content shared within
the video rather than the quality of the production.
This year, successful entrants will be pitching live in a semi-final to a board of business specialists and investors to
determine the finalists who will go on to pitch from the main stage on 16 th March. For your entry to be considered
you must be available to attend in person the semi-final on 17th February and the final on the 16th March.
Over 2000 delegates are expected to attend Venturefest East Midlands 2016, and they will be encouraged to
vote for the best business ideas on the day. The winner will be determined via a mix of judges scores and
audience scores. The winner will be announced at the end of the event.
What’s in it for me?
There are cash prizes on offer for the best business idea - as voted for by the event delegates - in each stream:
New Business Idea – £500 plus a PR & Marketing Support package worth £500 from Holland Alexander, the
producers of VfEM.
Existing Business Idea – £1000 plus a PR & Marketing Support package worth £500 from Holland Alexander, the
producers of VfEM.
How do I enter?
STEP 1: Film - Use your smart phone to produce a short (90 second) film explaining your idea – you will be judged
on your business idea NOT the quality of the film. Films should be in H.264, .MP4, or QuickTime MOV formats. HD
films should be 720P - 1280 x720 pixels. Please send your entry film to your local University to the contact listed
below and by We Transfer or large file platforms.
Venturefest East Midlands - 16h March 2016
Next Generation Competition
The films will be judged against the below criteria:
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Your idea: What is your Business idea? How does your idea solve a problem or help society?
What are the key selling points: What makes it stand out, or improve upon what is already available?
Your target market: e.g. size in £ / target customers
How does your idea make money: e.g. Price per sale/per use/rental - or do you wish to sell your idea?
What would you do with the prize money: e.g. spend on developing the product/marketing/stock?
STEP 2: Complete the form below and E-mail to the University Contact below, BY 18th DECEMBER.
The Semi Final
We have introduced the Semi-final into the competition in order to give our entrants an experience of real life
pitching to a panel for investment. This will give entrants the chance to pitch before the grand final live at the
event on 16 March 2016.
The semi-final will consist of a 3 minute pitch, expanding on the areas in which the video touched upon. Our
judges will be able to give feedback on areas they felt the pitch was lacking in order to improve their
performance for the final.
The semi-final will be held on the 17th February at the University of Leicester campus between 2pm and 4pm. If
your entry is chosen for the semi-final, you must be able to attend and pitch for your entry to be considered for
the final.
Before the semi-final takes place, the Venturefest East Midlands team, in conjunction with the Universities will be
holding a ‘What to expect on the day’ and Pitch training session on the 10th February. This is not compulsory,
however it is strongly recommended you attend in order to best prepare yourself for the competition.
The Live Final
The Final of the Next Generation Competition will be held during the afternoon on the main stage at VfEM 2016
on 16 March. You must be able to attend this day to give your pitch to be eligible for the prize fund.
As with the Semi-final, this will be a live pitch, of up to 5 minutes expanding on the key areas which would enable
an investor to make a decision on whether they would like to invest in your idea/business. The live final will be
held on the main stage at VfEM to an investor and business specialist panel, as well as the general delegate
base, meaning there could be up to 600 people in the audience watching your pitch.
Before the live final, your university will offer a 1-2-1 training session with yourself to ensure you are fully prepared
before the day, this will be organised at your convenience.
Submitting your entry to your University contact below:
Organisation:
The Hive, Nottingham Trent University
Contact name:
Phil Clarke
Contact position:
Student Enterprise Advisor
Contact phone number: 0115 941 8418
Contact email address: thehive@ntu.ac.uk
Venturefest East Midlands - 16h March 2016
Next Generation Competition
NEXT GENERATION ZONE - OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM
Details will be used for contacting you, promotion and for marketing purposes.
Email to your local University Contact
Name of entrant(s)
Name of your idea / business
Telephone
Email address
100 Word description of your idea
Please use non confidential descriptions.
*Please note; by submitting content here
you give your permission for VfEM to use
your words in promotion of the Next
Generation Competition
What would you use the competition prize
for?
£500 for New Idea
£1000 for Existing Business Idea
Your twitter account
Your LinkedIn Profile
Your website (if applicable)
Will you be attending Venturefest, and
what would you like to gain from the
event?
I can confirm I am available to attend the
semi-final in Leicester on 17th February and
the final on 16th March in Leicester.
Yes
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No 