Leading local technology companies from the University of Bristol’s SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre, which supports start-up businesses, pitched their work to potential investors at a Dragons' Den-style event in Goldeney Hall, Bristol on Tuesday 8 July. The event was sponsored by South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN), HSBC and Ernst & Young.

Six companies had just 90 seconds each to pitch their business to an audience of investors who voted for the best one using four $25,000 ‘south-west' dollar billls. Phillip Tellwright, network director of SWAIN, introduced the pitches and asked the audience to vote with their ‘dollars’.

Null Hypothesis won the top prize of £250 and the HSBC trophy. Null Hypothesis is an award-winning science portal that has attracted a large online audience and resulted in collaborations with the Daily Telegraph, BBC Radio, the South West Regional Development Authority and the Institute of Publishing.

Andrew Impey, spokesperson for Null Hypothesis said,

‘This was a great chance for us to highlight our key strengths – as our company continues to grow, it is vital to look towards further investment.’

Phillip Tellwright of SWAIN added,

‘The annual SETsquared Garden Party is an opportunity for local early-stage companies to showcase to prospective investors and network with mentors and other businesses at a similar development stage.’

Other SETsquared companies at the event included Tidal Generation Ltd, which has secured a 23% stake by Rolls Royce, and Gnodal Ltd which has received seed funding of £1.1 million. 

Nick Sturge, SETsquared centre director commented,

‘In the current economic climate, getting deals like Gnodal and Tidal Generation is a real achievement and typical of the quality of companies that we are working with.’

‘The quality and diversity of the companies who exhibit every year makes this event an important resource to those wishing to invest.’