Pitchfest South West investment pledges top £1m

Angel investors have pledged more than £1m investment in South West companies who took part in this year’s Pitchfest South West.

Pitchfest, now in its 2 year, is an intensive pitch training programme delivered by business finance experts, which culminates in an Investor Showcase where companies have the opportunity to pitch “live” to an audience of real investors.

Out of the 54 companies who registered for Pitchfest South West training this year, 12 made it through to the final round and were selected on the basis of their investment proposition, which Pitchfest experts helped to refine.

Delivered by Enterprise Europe Network in partnership with Innovate UK and supported by the KTN, this year’s Pitchfest Investor Showcase events were held in both Bristol and Exeter to attract a wider number of angel investors from across the region.

Feedback on the events has been very positive, with investors praising the investment readiness and pitching qualities of participant businesses, as a result of working with programme experts. What’s more 8 businesses have since gone on, following introductions, to present at other angel networks with 1 deal already completed.

One business who has received investment off the back of Pitchfest South West is The Bunch - a Bristol-based company that helps ease the burden of sharing household bills. Commenting on the success of Pitchfest, founder Elliot Herrod-Taylor said:

“The expert advice and support we received as part of Pitchfest was instrumental in helping us to secure angel investment. I would highly recommend Pitchfest to South West businesses looking to innovate or grow in new markets.”

Ed Tellwright, EEN Finance Specialist, led Pitchfest South West, comments:

“Pitchfest South West has proven to be the business opportunity of a lifetime for companies such as The Bunch to pitch for financial support from private investors who will be investing their own personal funds. Off the back of a very successful 2019, I hope next year’s Pitchfest can hit new heights in terms of investment.”