Entrepreneurs put business on the agenda at the Edinburgh Festival

Taking place at the Signet Library in the heart of Edinburgh on 18 August, the free to attend event is part of The Pitch 2011, organised by BusinessZone.co.uk in association with marketing solutions company Yell.

 

Five small business owners will pitch in front of judges: serial entrepreneur Karen Darby, star of Channel 4's The Secret Millionaire Carl Hopkins and Bloom VC founder and non executive director at Young Enterprise Scotland Amanda Boyle for the chance to make it to through to the final in London where £50,000 worth of business support will be up for grabs.

 

The finalists are:

• Ross Dickinson, Kibosh Emergency Pipe Repair (re-usable temporary repair device for burst water pipes)
• James Varga, miiCard (a 'digital passport' for online identification)
• Louise Guinda, Safe Dreams (producer of innovative breathable safe sleeping products for babies)
• Kim McCann, Planet Tots (provider of environmentally friendly products, services and advice to assist child development)
• Cheryl Ryder, Dribble Delights (range of dairy free baby and toddler food)

Dan Martin, founder of The Pitch and editor of BusinessZone.co.uk, said: "Although the Edinburgh Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the world, business events rarely feature. We are delighted to be bringing The Pitch 2011 to the city and showcase the energy and passion that entrepreneurs exude.

 

"We encourage festival goers to take time out from the comedy and theatre to find out how inspiring business owners can be." 

 

As well as watching the pitches live on stage, audience members will receive practical tips for business success from speakers including award winning Scottish entrepreneur and Edinburgh resident Rachel Jones. She will explain how she has managed to get her Totseat travel highchair product sold in more than 30 countries around the world.

 

Attendees will also take part in an interactive workshop delivered by Jennifer Holloway, an expert in how business people can exploit their personal brand.

 

Holloway commented: "What do people say about you when you’re not in the room? Whatever it is, that’s your personal brand and it’s the key to your success. Because in a world where ‘people buy people’ your personal brand helps them decide whether or not they’re buying into you. 

 

"During The Pitch 2011 Scotland, I'll be sharing my insights on personal brand; what it is, how it’s formed, how to define it and how to promote it. Using a mix of interactive exercises I’ll help entrepreneurs tap into one of the most powerful business tools they have at their disposal."