A ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition which has seen dozens of West Midlands entrepreneurs secure more than £40m for their small businesses is set to be a major highlight of this year’s Venturefest WM.
Now in its seventh year, the final of the Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up 2022 competition will be one of the main attractions at Venturefest WM 2022 and will see businesses get the chance to pitch head-to-head to a variety of investors to win a cash prize, and the ultimate accolade of Pitch Up Champion.
Venturefest, which is free to attend, gives entrepreneurs and innovators from across the West Midlands a unique opportunity to develop and grow their business by meeting with potential investors and other cutting-edge companies.
The Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up final is expected to attract a large audience at this year's Venturefest WM 2022 event
This year’s event, which is being sponsored and co-hosted by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), takes place on Thursday March 24 at the Eastside Rooms, Woodcock Street, Birmingham B7 4BL, from 8:30am to 5pm. Places can be booked at https://venturefestwm-2022.eventbrite.co.uk
The Pitch Up final is expected to attract a large Venturefest audience who will vote to decide who will be crowned the Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up Champion and win the cash prize of £2,500 along with the option of additional support from Minerva Birmingham.
Pitch Up is a collaboration, co-delivered by the Centre for Growth at Aston University, University of Birmingham Enterprise, and Minerva Business Angels, part of the University of Warwick Science Park Ltd.
The competition improves businesses’ ability to win investment while boosting their profile. Entrepreneurs wanting to take part in Pitch Up 2022 can apply here. Applications close on 28th February
Sheridan Sulskis, Sheridan Sulskis, which provides business support and start up commercial loans for small businesses and is a sponsor of this year’s Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up, said: “We are delighted to sponsor Minerva Birmingham’s Pitch Up at Venturefest WM.
“It brings together under one roof regional businesses and support organisations and offers a unique opportunity for businesses to not only connect with the support available to them, but also gives them an opportunity to raise their profiles and gain investment for their business.”
Venturefest brings growth businesses together with investors who have specific expertise in innovation and offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs, innovators and investors to share ideas for co-operation and collaboration, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies.
The event is being led by the WMCA and Innovation Alliance WM, working with local enterprise partnerships, universities and Bruntwood, a leading property provider to the science and tech sector. It is being backed by several key sponsors including the Midlands Engine Investment Fund.
The Venturefest WM 2022 programme will include keynote speakers from a range of sectors including Ian Vickers, CEO of Metcloud and Emma Jones, CEO of Enterprise Nation. There will also be panel discussions and an exhibition of innovative businesses and support for innovative businesses.
For more information about Venturefest WM 2022, visit https://www.venturefestwm.co.uk/
Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up is run by the Centre for Growth at Aston University, BizzInn at the University of Birmingham and Minerva at the University of Warwick Science Park.
To find out more about Pitch Up contact centreforgrowth@aston.ac.uk, or visit Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up
