Bristol startups among 100 entrepreneurs shortlisted by Britain’s biggest business contest
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August 13, 2014
Three Bristol-based small businesses have been selected to attend an intensive boot camp that could see them winning support worth thousands.
The companies have been chosen by a panel of expert judges in The Pitch 2014.
Founded in Bristol in 2008, the nationwide competition rewards and celebrates the UK’s entrepreneurs.
Among those selected is Wriggle, a Bristol-based app which provides on-the-day offers at local bars, restaurants and other venues which helps businesses fill unsold deals.
Founded by Robert Hall, the company recently raised £128,000 investment through crowdfunding platform Seedrs.
Also on the list is Grow Bristol, a new urban farming enterprise set up by Dermot O’Regan that aims to develop innovative and sustainable ways of growing food in the city for the benefit of all its inhabitants and the wider world.
The third Bristol-based business chosen is Talking Men’s Shoes, a video blog run by Fiona Wyatt that’s aimed at the men’s shoe industry.
From those, 30 will be selected to compete at the final at Paintworks in Bristol in October where the overall champion will win the massive package of business support prizes including mentoring, technology, global business lounge access and PR consultancy.
The shortlisted firms, all trading for less than three years with some not yet trading, are from across the UK and come from as far north as Aberdeen, all the way down to Newquay.
Dan Martin, founder of The Pitch and editor of BusinessZone.co.uk, comments: “I’m overwhelmed by the quality of the entrepreneurial talent in our top 100 shortlist.
“They really are a great representation of the fantastic business ingenuity that the UK has to offer!
“We created the boot camps as a direct result of contestant feedback last year, and they offer a money-can’t-buy opportunity for our contestants to get amazing business training from some of the best experts available.
“I wish all 100 business owners the very best of luck.”
