26 May 2011: Cambridge Wireless has launched the Discovering Start-Ups 2011 challenge to find the very best in new cutting-edge technologies. The competition gives budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to kick-start their innovative ventures with cash prizes and services along with the dream opportunity to pitch their ideas and business plans to over 25 of the world’s leading venture capitalists, angel investors and industry leaders including Google, Microsoft, Orange and Vodafone.
26 May 2011: Cambridge Wireless has launched the Discovering Start-Ups 2011 challenge to find the very best in new cutting-edge technologies. The competition gives budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to kick-start their innovative ventures with cash prizes and services along with the dream opportunity to pitch their ideas and business plans to over 25 of the world’s leading venture capitalists, angel investors and industry leaders including Google, Microsoft, Orange and Vodafone.
Supported by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), the Discovering Start-Ups initiative also comprises a full programme of free master classes that includes a fundraising and investment strategies event; business model day; workshops in networking, presentations and pitching; as well as links into a network of industry experts and leaders.
“It has never been a more important time to encourage, nurture and support new technologies and business talent in order to accelerate our recovery and strengthen the UK’s position in fast moving markets,” said Soraya Jones, CEO at Cambridge Wireless, the leading independent wireless business and technology community. “Discovering Start-Ups is aimed at showcasing some of the most exciting tech innovations and provides their inventors with the chance to impress an unmatched line-up of much sought-after investors that would otherwise take months or years to get in front of.”
Five winners will each also get a £2,000 cash prize and a range of valuable consultancy and business services that will be awarded on Finals Day at Cambridge Wireless' prestigious Founders' Dinner Event, on 8th December 2011. In addition, early entrants will get the opportunity to take part in the international business ‘dating’ event and Networking Tea Party at the Future of Wireless International Conference at the end of June, organised by Cambridge Wireless. Last year’s winners will also be exhibiting and presenting at the conference’s Innovation Hothouse.
“The East of England has a strong tradition of converting world leading technology research and innovation into successful international businesses,” said Deborah Cadman, Chief Executive of EEDA. “Now in its second year, Discovering Start-Ups provides a great opportunity for the next generation of entrepreneurs to benefit from this experience and to accelerate their growth and success.”
As a direct result of last year’s finals, one of the Discovering Start-Ups winners, Cambridge Temperature Concepts (CTC), also went on to represent Europe as one of six global finalists in the Qualcomm Ventures’ QPrize™ and picked up a prize of 100,000 euros in venture financing.
Discovering Start-Ups is open to start-ups and early-stage companies looking to take their businesses forward as well as design groups in larger companies looking to exploit new technologies and students or academics in education. The competition is free to enter for companies in the East of England or Cambridge Wireless members nationally.
In addition to EEDA, other organisations backing the Cambridge Wireless Discovering Start-Ups initiative include: Business Link, Cambridge Network, Cambridge University, CamtechNet, Connected Cambridge, Enterprise Europe Network, Google, IdeaSpace, Innovation Martlesham, Nesta, One Nucleus, St John’s Innovation Centre and Survive & Thrive.
For more information, please visit: www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/discoveringstartups
About Cambridge Wireless
Cambridge Wireless is a leading industry forum and vibrant community with a rapidly expanding network of companies actively involved in the development and application of wireless technologies. In addition to high level networking dinners and events, a strong educational programme and business development activities, Cambridge Wireless runs the annual Future of Wireless International Conference along with the prestigious Discovering Start-Ups programme and competition to support emerging, innovative wireless companies. Over 15 Special Interest Groups focused on specific technologies and market sectors, also provide opportunities for members to meet, form partnerships to exploit new commercial opportunities, and share knowledge and information about the latest industry trends and hot topics.
Cambridge Wireless has partnerships with other leading industry clusters and organisations around the world to extend its international reach and to keep members up to date with the latest global developments and business opportunities. For more information, please visit www.cambridgewireless.co.uk
A recent independent report found that for every £1 EEDA spent, it generated a mid-point return of £4.75 for the region's economy. Visit www.eeda.org.uk to find out more.
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