Technology

Posted on July 5, 2018 by staff

Pitch@Palace ‘fantastic opportunity’ for entrepreneurs

Technology

Pitch@Palace 10.0 has opened its doors to applications from innovative tech entrepreneurs offering a fantastic opportunity to get their bright idea in front of the right people.

The renowned initiative returns to a broad technology theme and hopes to discover entrepreneurs that have identified opportunities in areas as diverse as fitness tech, cyber security, data management and more.

The Duke of York founded Pitch@Palace in 2014 to provide a platform to amplify and accelerate the work of entrepreneurs.

The initiative gives business leaders the opportunity to meet the people who can help make their dreams become a reality, including CEOs, influencers, angels, mentors and business partners.

Other aims of Pitch@Palace are to provide access to distribution systems and supply chains, make connections and help with investment.

It’s free to apply, with 42 finalists selected for each event. Alumni entrepreneurs continue to receive ongoing support, introductions and connections to the Pitch@Palace UK and Global network.

Interested entrepreneurs can apply here.

“It has always been at the centre of my work in entrepreneurship to build communities who by collaborating can support building prosperity and creating jobs for young people,” said HRH The Duke of York.

“It was for this reason that I founded Pitch@Palace in the UK in 2014 and Pitch@Palace Global in 2017 to provide the mechanism to support entrepreneurs by acting as an accelerant to their businesses.”

Irra Ariella Khi (pictured above), CEO and co-founder of VChain Technology, said after winning Pitch@Palace 9.0: “If I had to describe Pitch@Palace in three words, they’d be: aspirational, meaningful, and change-making.

“We have already made some wonderful connections this evening. We have met people tonight whose work has been so instrumental in the development of our business ideas, but who we have never actually been able to access before to have a one-on-one conversation with.

“People in the audience here are so open, so proactive and are genuinely looking to help you.“Pitch@Palace has already proved to be a hugely transformative process for us.”

Prior to a Pitch@Palace Main Event, regional Pitch@Palace On Tour events take place to provide entrepreneurs from across the UK with the opportunity to learn about the programme, make their initial pitch, connect with local stakeholders and begin to receive mentoring to develop their businesses.

The winners from each Pitch@Palace On Tour event are fast-tracked to Pitch@Palace Boot Camp.

Once there they have the opportunity to hear from industry experts and Pitch@Palace Alumni, as well as receiving support and mentoring.

All 42 participants are asked to pitch to a panel of judges, who select 12 entrepreneurs to pitch for three minutes at St. James’s Palace. The rest of the entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch for 30 seconds at the final event.

The winners are determined by an audience vote. All 42 entrepreneurs also compete in a public vote, the Pitch@Palace People’s Choice Award.

Pitch@Palace Global is also available to entrepreneurs and audiences, offering the same skills as the UK initiative on a global scale.

Developing this interconnectivity amongst innovative businesses around the world supports the growth of all the international businesses and entrepreneur alumni.

Over the past four years Pitch@Palace has held events in or worked with entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Latin America and Europe.