The Pitch grand final

The Pitch grand final will be held in central London on 16th November, the first day of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009. In addition to the final of The Pitch 2009, we are also running a series of seminars, workshops and advice surgeries to give you the inside track on making your business a success. Tickets to the event are FREE, but you need to register your interest in attending as there are only a small number of tickets available.

The Pitch Final
16 November 2009
116 Pall Mall, Institute of Directors, London

Schedule

10:00 Chairman's Welcome
Dan Martin, Editor www.businesszone.co.uk
10:10 A Success Story
Karen Darby is a serial entrepreneur who is currently running Call Britannia, a social enterprise which aims to create 10,000 jobs for the long term employed. Her previous business was energy price comparison service SimplySwitch which she sold to the Daily Mail for £22m just four years after setting it up. In an inspirational speech, Karen will share the secrets behind her entrepreneurial success and reveal how business doesn’t have to be all about making money; you can also make the world a better place.
10:40 Keynote Address
11:00 Coffee break and table top workshops
12:00 Advice Surgery Panel
Our expert panel will share with delegates the inside track to how to start, run and grow and successful business. Audience members will be invited to ask questions which the panel will answer.
12:30 How to improve your pitch
Keys to success in Pitching your business. A look at the importance of a good business plan, knowing your facts and figures, demonstrating passion and determination and preparation, preparation preparation.
13:15 Lunch and table top workshop
  • Angels Den
  • The next women
  • Business Link
  • IoD
  • Yell
  • Eoffice
14:00 Yell - supporting local business
14:10 Speed Networking
14:30 The Pitch grand final:
Over the summer, 30 entrepreneurs competed in five cities for the chance to pitch for the £50,000 prize at our grand final. They will be joined live on stage by a wildcard entrant selected by members of BusinessZone.co.uk.
  • Winner of Manchester
    Kenneth Cheung, Managing Director of BEEcycle
  • Winner of Bristol
    David Webb and David Wright, co-founders of Super Mouth, the producer of Vibe Gum
  • Winner of Birmingham
    Tom Warrender, Founder of Get Set Schools
  • Winner of London
    Anthony Lau, Founder of Cyclehoop
  • Winner of Glasgow
    Craig Smith, Founder of The Printed Bag Shop
  • Wild card voted by Business Zone audience - To be announced
The Judges
  • Doug Richard, serial entrepreneur and former Dragons' Den panellist
  • Tim Campbell, founder of The Bright Ideas Trust and winner of The Apprentice 2005
  • Charlie Mullins, Founder, Pimlico Plumbers
  • Helen Stevenson, Chief Marketing Officer, Yell
15:30 A Success Story
Pat Wood started Truffle Shuffle in 2004 with his partner, operating out of their flat. Selling retro t-shirts over the internet, he had little notion that in a matter of years they would be turning over in excess of £4m and supplying funky apparel to celebrities and trendy folk all over the country. Pat is a down-to-earth individual who’s journey has been one of pursuing the right idea and making the right decisions at the right time. He’ll explain how, after an initial investment of only £10, his Bristol-based company now sells over 1000 different products, employs 11 people, has over 200,000 registered customers.
  • Pat Wood, Founder, Truffle Shuffle 80s Clothing Ltd
16:00 Winner of The Pitch 2009 Announced
16:15 Day close and drinks reception

Register to attend

To register your interest for tickets to see the Pitch 2009 grand final, please submit your details below.