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Local technology entrepreneurs get the chance to pitch to industry leaders and investors

26 August 2010

Budding wireless entrepreneurs from the East of England will have the opportunity to pitch their innovative technologies and business plans to the likes of Google, Microsoft and Orange, along with some of the world’s leading angel and VC investors.

The pitch event will mark the finals of the Discovering Start-Ups competition, run by Cambridge Wireless and supported by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). The new initiative is designed to showcase and support the next generation of wireless technology companies.

The judging panel line up for the dragon’s den style finals in December includes Tim Regan at Microsoft; Frederic Rombaut, Head of Qualcomm Ventures Europe; Wolfgang Schuster from Vodafone Group R&D; Jean-Louis Fuccellaro, Managing Director, Orange Labs UK and Clive Grinyer, Director Customer Experience, CISCO.  And from the investor community, the judges include Jamie Urquhart of Pond Venture Partners and co-founder of ARM; Bruno Dizengremel of Innovacom, the VC arm of Orange; and Chris Winters, New Venture Partners.

In addition to presenting to this impressive line up, entrants to the Discovering Start-Ups 2010 competition also get the chance to win valuable cash prizes along with business consultancy and services. In parallel with the competition, Cambridge Wireless is also running a series of Masterclasses designed to give start-up companies some of the vital skills they need to succeed.

“This is a unique opportunity for new local wireless businesses to pitch their ideas to a panel with years of industry experience and successful track records of spotting and backing winning technologies and businesses,” said David Cleevely, entrepreneur, angel investor and Chair of Cambridge Wireless. “Not only do the budding entrepreneurs have the opportunity to walk away with valuable advice and prize money; they also have the chance to impress some of the most influential angel and VC fund holders.” 

There are five entry categories in Discovering Start-Ups: cognitive and/or green radio, hot applications and services, wireless health and wellness innovations, technology design in wireless, and emerging disruptive ideas. Any business or R&D organisation with a new product or service that falls into on of these categories is eligible to enter. The closing date for entries is 29 October and the final pitches and awards take place on 9 December at Newnham College, Cambridge.

More information about the competition and masterclasses can be found at: www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/discoveringstartups.

“We are delighted to have the support of such an impressive line of judges that spans the wireless industry and investment communities,” said Kevin Coleman, Project Director. “It is a once in a life time opportunity for the Discovering Start-Ups entrants that could help launch their business success.”

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