Event Outline: GradInvest Showcase

Key dates and milestones for applicants

 

KEY DATES & MILESTONES for CANDIDATES	DATE / ACHIEVED BY
Application form open	8 February
Deadline for companies to submit application form attaching their 1-page executive summary and logo	8 March by 9.00
Each University to validate local applications	By 9 March
Email companies with notification of presentation time slot and online panel selection day details	From 10 March
Webinar with Caroline Fleming – ‘How do you recognize a good deal?’	w/c 15 March
Support sessions at each University	Organised by each University individually
1st Online Panel Selection Session with external investor panel + internal observers	24, 25 and 26 March
2nd Online Panel Selection Session with external investor panel + internal observers
3rd Online Panel Selection Session with external investor panel + internal observers (if required)
Written feedback following online panel selection sessions for forwarding to ventures by the centres/university teams	w/c 29 March
(Only for companies selected by the Panel for Envestry)  Webinar- Investment Campaign	w/c 12 April
Pitch Refinement Sessions	w/c 26 April
Deadline for updated company 1-page summary (if updating was required following feedback received after the Online Panel Selection Days)	w/c 3 May
Webinar – How to get the most out of the event	w/c 3 May
Pitch recording time slots sent out	w/c 10 May
Pitch Recording Sessions	w/c 17 May
Final Information Packs sent to exhibiting/pitching companies along with draft Delegate List	17 May
Dress rehearsal of presentations	Tuesday 25 May
GradInvest 2021	26 May, Online

Selecting the companies to exhibit and pitch (all stages are compulsory):

STAGE 1: Once applications are validated by each Institution, companies will be invited to attend an Online Panel Selection Session. A maximum of 45 companies will pitch online. To prepare for the selection phase they’ll receive support from each Institution.

At the online selection session, each company will give a 5-minute pitch to a panel of mentors and experienced entrepreneurs. A 10-minute Q&A + feedback from the panellists will follow each pitch.

The aim is to select 16 companies to pitch on 26 May, however the final numbers are up to the discretion of the selection panel.

STAGE 2: Selected companies will be given further support to hone their pitch ready for the showcase via their local Institutions and they will attend online pitch refinement sessions delivered by SETsquared trainers.

All companies selected to pitch at the showcase on 26 May will be required to attend a compulsory rehearsal session on 25 May.

5-minute Pitch Guideline

In general, the audience is looking for an overview/snapshot of your value proposition in the time allocated. They are not expecting huge amounts of detail about how your solution works but are in general more interested in the overall business opportunity that you are presenting. As a guide it is recommended that you cover off the following questions:

• The Problem: What is the problem that you are trying to solve?
• The Solution: What is your solution to that problem?
• The Opportunity: What is the market opportunity for your solution? “Value Impact” of the business idea
• The Business Model: Explain how the business model works. How are you going to make money?
• The Team: Who are they and what is their relevant experience?
• The Ask: What do you need in terms of next steps?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please email karina.moore@setsquared.co.uk