Entries for The Spectator Economic Innovator Awards, in partnership with Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), come in all sizes and sectors. How do our judging panels choose between them? We’ve asked three of our most experienced judges to offer their top tips for regional finalists to make the very best of a 10-15 minute pitch. But before that, entrants must answer the first question in the online entry form: ‘Please describe your business very clearly in 50 words or fewer.’ In short, make it punchy, passionate and special. That’s the path to Innovator success.
Clive Bawden, founder and director of Governance360
If you can get across your unique positioning and reasoning, regardless of where you are on the commercialisation pathway, you are far more likely to rise to the top of the applicants. The Innovator awards have consistently unearthed hidden gems. And that is mostly because we focus on the story, the founding team and the impact, as opposed to just the PR release, the wording in the nomination or the skill of the presenter we meet.
Caroline Theobald CBE, founder of Bridge Club Ltd
Founders make the best storytellers. They can keep it simple. It’s important for us nonspecialist judges that the story is clear, concise and compelling. It must explain why the product or service is game-changing and how or why it’ll make a difference. I also like to understand the business niche and what challenge it is solving.
Gabriel Fysh, director of Transcend Packaging Ltd
You only have a small window to deliver your business plan and vision, so clarity on what the company does, its achievements to date and its wider benefit to society – delivered, preferably, by the founder – is critical. For me, how the company intends to scale its activities and any sustainability credentials are also a big tick. Good luck!
Read more on what makes a winning submission from our sponsor, here.
Apply now: spectator.co.uk/innovator
