Eight businesses have made it through to the second stage of the inaugural Liverpool Start-Up Competition.
The first stage of the competition, which is being introduced for the first time this year, encouraged undergraduate student entrepreneurs to submit a business pitch with a PowerPoint, short pitch video and financial plan documents.
The eight successful applicants through to the second stage, from areas including the Management School, History and Law, will now run marketing campaigns to encourage people to vote for their pitch videos which are being hosted online here.
The six entrepreneurs with the most votes will then go through to the final stage of the competition which will see them pitch their business idea to an invited panel of judges in front of a live audience.
How to vote
To vote for your favourite, just text the code next to your chosen business to 020 3322 5822. Texts cost your standard network charge and will be charged to your phone bill. Please make sure you only text once as multiple texts from the same number will still be charged but will not be counted in the vote. Voting will close on Friday, 9 November at 5pm.
The shortlist
The eight shortlisted businesses and their voting codes are:
- Master Minded: 05151
- Go Ed: 205185
- Your Happy Life: 205242
- Chaik: 205261
- Slingshot: 205263
- Core: 205265
- Gaia: 205278
- Learning With Laura: 205349
Whilst many will be entering to win, the competition has been welcomed as a way for students to gain significant business support, professional development and potential customer interest.
Prizes
The prizes, which have all been donated by companies, include:
- £5,000 cash for winners of both categories from Santander
- Opportunity to discuss the business plan with Lawrence Kenwright, CEO of the Signature Living group
- A day’s worth of PR strategy with Pink Media
- Six months co-working desk membership at Signature Works
- Potential investment from the Startup Funding Club
- A business start-up package from BWM Chartered Accountants
More information about the Liverpool Start-Up Competition can be found on the Management School webpages or by contacting Lee Wainwright.
Key Dates
| Mon 1st October 2018 | Applications open |
| Fri 26th October 2018 | Applications close |
| Mon 5th November 2018 | Stage 2 successful applicants announced |
| Mon 5th November 2018 | Videos posted on intranet for voting |
| Fri 9th November 2018 | Online video voting closes |
| Mon 12th November 2018 | Finalists announced for live pitch |
| Tue 20th November 2018 | Live pitch takes place and winners announced – Shankly Hotel |