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North West Startup Season: What’s it all about?

Over the next month I will be talking to all the North West shortlisted companies from the ‘Pitch to Rich’ competition.

It’s the first year the competition has existed in this form however it is not the first time Sir Richard Branson has run competitions for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to him. This year sees a bigger competition with more prizes and three categories for companies to fit into.

There is £150k in marketing support available for the most exciting startup, with £50k for two runners up; or entrepreneurs that have a big idea can try to win £50k to make it a reality with £10k for two runners up; finally existing businesses that are looking to accelerate growth can bid for £250k of marketing support with two runners up receiving £100k in support.

By having the three categories the competition is far more inclusive and it incorporates a real range of startups that are truly exciting.

My interest was sparked by the competition and I felt nothing short of pride when I realised that we had 8 companies from the North West in the shortlist, I have interviewed a few of them already and have the rest lined up for the next few weeks.

Each company has impressed me with its original idea, its passion for its market and its realisation of its ideas into a company.

So North West Startup Season is all about impressive startups or young businesses in the North West and it’s expanding to include companies not involved in the competition. I want to celebrate the successful startups we can boast about in the North West and share my sense of pride.

I find startups particularly exciting because of the motivation and dedication it takes to get a business up and running.

The obstacles are many but the ideas to overcome them are inventive and exciting.

Love Me and My Secretfor example has worked hard to find a factory that will allow low minimum orders to tackle a problem that will impact 1 in 4 women at some point in their lives.

ArtTutorhas created a great online community as well as a profitable business which educates users helping them learn new arts and crafts skills

AudioScratchhas rethought the concept of a social network and created a music-based network for undiscovered artists who in their own way are types of startups.

As I work through our 8 inspiring companies and a few more inspiring companies that weren’t in the competition I want to share the incredible journey that each company has taken from an idea to a real working business bringing in money.

There’s a lot to be proud of when it comes to businesses in the North West and we are a place for for innovation and inspiration.

So join me in reading about some truly inspirational companies, and do get in contact if you are a startup yourself and want your story told.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .