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Birmingham Tech Week: Future Talent Pitch
What is the Future Talent Pitch?
As part of Birmingham Tech Week, the Future Talent Pitch Application is a unique opportunity to develop your tech idea and collaborate with innovators across the West Midlands. If you’re looking to kickstart your entrepreneurial career in tech, then this opportunity is for you!
Why should I participate?
This is an incredible opportunity to kickstart your tech-driven entrepreneurial career. The Future Talent Pitch winners will receive £1,000 in prize funding, three months of free hot-desking, and the chance to represent the University of Warwick at the Birmingham Tech Week Black Tie Leaders Dinner on Friday, October 25th.
On top of this, you’ll learn how to develop ideas and build them into a business, learn unique presentation skills, secure access to mentors leading in the sector, and get access to entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, experts, and agencies. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your network and experience at the intersection of technology, enterprise, and social good.
Eligibility Criteria
What is the process?
Applications are open until Wednesday, 9th October, with preliminary pitches to be held at the University of Warwick on Friday, 11th October. The top two teams will be invited to a mentoring event on Wednesday, 16th October, where individuals from across the West Midlands will mentor your team to develop your idea and build a world-class pitch. Teams from across the West Midlands will compete in the final judging competition on Thursday, 24th October.
Timeline
Application Deadline: 9th October
Initial Pitch: 11th October
Mentorship Day: 16th October (top two teams only)
Future Pitch Day: 24th October
What is the theme?
The theme of Birmingham Tech Week this year is ‘Making Tech Succeed in the Most Human of Places.’ Therefore, your idea might want to consider the environment, social mobility, engaging with young people, supporting change to services, giving voices to underrepresented audiences, and other subjects addressing diversity, inclusion, equity, and sustainability.
What stage should my idea be at?
We welcome all ideas from conception to implementation. However, your pitch should cover seven key topics:
- What is the problem that you are trying to solve? Describe the problem, who is affected, and the urgency of addressing this problem.
- What is your product? What solution are you offering, how does it work, and what makes it different from what is out there already?
- What is your market? Who are your competitors, and what is your market potential?
- What is your impact? What is your impact on your beneficiaries, and how does it advance progress?
- What is your business model? How does your business run? We recommend completing or having a detailed draft of a business model canvas before applying.
- What are your finances? How much does your business cost to run, what investment do you need, and how would you spend this investment?
- What is your goal? What is the vision of your business, and what impact do you want to have?
What are the guidelines for the pitch?
As part of the application, each team must submit a pitch that is no longer than 5 minutes and will be delivered on the 11th of October. For guidance on the 5-minute pitch, you should address each of the seven principles listed above. Applications without a pitch deck will not be considered.
How big should my team be?
A team consists of at least two students. Teams cannot be larger than five students.
What resources are available to me?
Warwick Enterprise offers 1:1 guidance and support for students to help them develop their ideas and launch their initiatives. We provide support and guidance at all stages of the application process. Warwick Enterprise will also work to ensure accommodations and adjustments are made as necessary.
I have more questions: who should I speak to?
We recommend booking a 1:1 with our enterprise team or emailing us directly at enterprise@warwick.ac.uk with the subject line: BHAM TECH WEEK. Good luck!