Innovative businesses in the Solent region are being invited to pitch for free expertise and support as part of the Collaborate2Innovate 2010 event taking place on November 2 at Lakeside 1000 in Portsmouth.
Held annually, Collaborate2Innovate is dedicated to building profitable partnerships between organisations in the Solent region.
The Business Panel Challenge, supported by the Solent Innovation & Growth Team, a Gold sponsor of Collaborate2Innovate 2010, will provide eight companies with advice, connections and support for funding.
The Business Panel Challenge is open to all entrepreneurs and businesses which are innovating and have high-growth potential.
Solent companies fitting this profile simply need to provide details of their business in less than 300 words and also explain what type of support they need to make their business even more successful.
The top 15 entries, selected by the Solent Innovation & Growth Team, will take part in a pre-pitch session on Wednesday September 15 at Southampton Science Park. This will be whittled down to the best eight who will then be given the opportunity to present to a panel and audience of investors and senior business leaders from the region at Collaborate2innovate 2010.
Entry to the competition is free.
Guy Whitaker, CEO of the Solent Innovation & Growth Team, said: “The Business Panel Challenge is a very real opportunity for innovative businesses in the region to benefit from external and independent expertise which won’t cost them a penny.
“As well as receiving free and intensive support to prepare their business presentations, the successful companies will also have free access to financial, legal and Intellectual Property experts ahead of the event. And should any of these companies be looking for financial support, they will also be able to meet with potential investors.”
The Solent Innovation & Growth Team, which forms part of the wider South East Business Innovation & Growth community – www.innovationgrowth.co.uk – provides intensive support to help innovative and high growth companies across the region achieve their full potential.
The Solent region is a hotbed of innovation and the aim of the Team is to find and work with companies which have the potential to become real stars, not just in the Solent region, but nationally and internationally. These companies often require specific types of assistance that they cannot easily or readily access elsewhere.
To enter or find out more about The Business Panel Challenge, visit: http://www.collaborate2innovate2010.co.uk/competition.php