Entrepreneurs called to arms as investment battle looms

ASPIRING entrepreneurs are being given the opportunity to boldly go and pitch their idea to a panel of investors ‘Dragons’ Den’ style.

The potentially lucrative opportunity is being offered by Connect Yorkshire as part of its annual £1m Inv£storQuest business challenge, which puts entrepreneurs in need of funding together with Yorkshire-based venture capital funds including The Viking Fund and Yorkshire Fund Managers (YFM) Group.

Up to £250,000 will be made available to put into viable business ideas.

Previous entrants have secured more than £1.5M of investment over the past two years. All applicants will receive valuable practical feedback on their business ideas to ensure they know how to attract an investor.

The selected finalists will have the chance to present their business proposition at Connect Yorkshire’s Inv£storQuest Red Carpet Day, which takes place on September 18 in Leeds.
 
Entrepreneurs will benefit from receive free support and advice in honing their pitch from the Inv£storQuest sponsors prior to the critical first meeting with the investors.

David Worrall of Data Equations, one of last year’s finanlists, said that the event was incredibly useful as it gave him the opportunity to polish up and focus on the company’s business plan.

“The feedback we received from the mentors and judges has been excellent. And it was all rounded off by winning one of the £1000 prize,” he added.

Nick Butler, executive director of Connect Yorkshire, said that the Inv£storQuest challenge was a chance for any budding entrepreneur to make their bright idea a reality.

“We look forward to receiving entries from some of the regions most inspired inventors and early-stage businesses,” he said.
 
Companies need to put their business idea forward by August 29 by completing the application form on Connect Yorkshire’s website.

An ‘early-bird’ prize draw incentive is available for those who enter before this date. The prize is a two-day business training course worth more than £600.

Four of the finalists will also win a consultancy support package to the value of £1,000 from one of Inv£storQuest sponsors – Murgitroyd & Company, Ashton Morton Slack and Winburn Glass Norfolk (WGN).