Unlimited magazine in partnership with UK Trade & Investment would like to thank our twelve finalists for completing the 2008 $unlimited investment challenge and for their excellent final pitch presentation in front of our panel of investors in November 2008.
Feedback from the investors has been extremely positive; they were impressed with the calibre of presentations and propositions and how the challenge had helped to prepare each of our finalists for their final pitch.
We believe the challenge has been a great success this year and look forward to hearing how each of the finalists progress with the investors. Our investors have indicated interest in one or more business propositions and are currently in talks with more than one of our finalists. Any developments and results will be published in Unlimited magazine as soon as we have them, so don't forget to subscribe to Unlimited now.
» Ernst & Young
» Escalator
» FCM Travel Solutions
» James & Wells Intellectual Property
» Kea
Their support to the finalists throughout the challenge from the seminars, to the pitch training, through to the dummy and final pitch has been outstanding. Our finalists have expressed their appreciation for our sponsors support throughout.
Unlimited in partnership with UK Trade & Investment, a world-class team of investors, entrepreneurs, business experts and sponsors offered all New Zealand companies the chance to pitch for $millions in investment from local investors.
The challenge was set out in the following levels.
Level 1: It all started in July 2008 where companies completed a simple registration of interest form
Level 2: Investment Ready Seminars- August
Entrants were invited to attend day-long seminars throughout New Zealand. Local experts advised them on how to develop their business proposition and were given guidance on such areas as tax, governance, IP, internationalisation etc.
Level 3: Business Plan Submission (Dropsheet) - September
Using the advice given in the Investment Ready Seminar, companies submitted a business plan to our panel of experts. The top 35 business plans proceeded to the next stage of the Challenge
Level 4: GAP Analysis & Power Pitching Forums - October
Our successful companies were invited to attend pitching forums and were guided on how to successfully pitch to investors through needs assessments and training.
Level 5: Dummy Pitch - October
Successful companies were invited to a "dummy" pitch where an expert panel of investors, entrepreneurs, business professionals and sponsors gave them comprehensive feedback to help them refine their offer to investors.
Level 6: The Pitch - November
Practice is over. This was where our twelve successful companies had the opportunity to pitch to our panel of fourteen investors- Dragon's Den style
Level 7: March 2009
Results of the $Unlimited Investment Challenge will be announced at events in New Zealand and published exclusively in Unlimited Magazine in 2009
Success from the 2007 Investment challenge
In 2007 one company confirmed investment of NZ$1,000,000 and up to a dozen other companies are still in different stages of discussion/negotiation for varying sums of money. We were also able to introduce four companies to UK investors through UKTI's Global Entrepreneurs Programme.
To read about one of the successful finalist who secured investment from the 2007 Investment Challenge then call Yvonne on 09-302 5729to buy a copy of the October 2008 issue of unlimited, priced at $9.95.
