South West's technology start-ups showcase to investors
South West's technology start-ups showcase to investors
[Posted on 09 July 2008]
Leading South West technology companies from the SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre at the University of Bristol held a succesful showcase to prospective investors on Tuesday 8th July 2008 at the Goldney Hall Orangery and Gardens in Clifton,Bristol.Sponsored by the South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN), HSBC and Ernst & Young, the event provided an invaluable opportunity for the region's high-tech, high-growth companies to network with potential investors.
During the evening, six selected companies entered a 90-second 'Elevator Pitch' competition to promote their businesses an an investment proposition. The audience, of SWAIN investors, representatives of the venture capital communities from London and the South West plus supporters and mentors of the SETsquared activity, voted for the best investment proposition using 'South West Dollars'. Each delegate in the audience was given four £25,000 'South West Dollar' bills when they arrived but were not told of their purpose.
Phillip Tellwright, Network Director of SWAIN and event host, introduced the pitches informing the audience that they were able to vote, with their dollars, for the best investment proposition from the presenting companies.
Null Hypothesis won the most number of 'investment' votes and secured the top prize of £250 and the HSBC Elevator pitch trophy. Null Hypothesis is an award-winning science portal that has attracted a large and educated online audience. The enterprising style of content, pioneered by Null, broke the mould of traditional science publishing and has been the key to the company's success to date. Null has brand recognition from a weekly online column in the Daily Telegraph, and from collaborations with BBC Radio, SWRDA and the Institute of Publishing.
Andrew Impey, spokesperson for Null Hypothesis said, "Tonight 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 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." He continued, "We are very pleased at how well the event went."
Also being showcased at the Garden Party were 14 ventures who are supported by the SETsquared Centre, including six 'alumni' of the centre. These included XMOS and MyBuilder.com who have both recently raised significant investments.
Current SETsquared companies attending the event, included Tidal Generation Limited who have secured a 23% stake by Rolls Royce and Gnodal Limited who announced at the event, their successful seed-round funding of £1.1 million. Nick Sturge, SETsquared Centre Director commented, "In the current economic climate, getting deals aways like Gnodal and Tidal Generation is a real achievement and typical of the quality of companies that we are working with."
The event was introduced by Dr. Neil Bradshaw, a director of the SETsquared Partnership who commented, "The quality and diversity of the companies who exhibit every year makes this event an important resource to those wishing to invest."
For further information please contact:
Sadia Rooney
Research and Enterprise Development, University of Bristol
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 8676, Email:sadia.rooney@bristol.ac.uk
www.bristol.ac.uk/research