Innovative start-ups and high-growth businesses based at SETsquared, the global number one business incubator backed by the University of Bristol, will soon be able to pitch online for vital investment in a move that maintains its world-leading status.
Pitching for the incubator’s investment programme has traditionally involved running panel selection days in front of a live audience of investors and experts. 
This proved time-consuming for both the panel and pitching companies. Now, in an industry-first move that harnesses digital technology in a way that befits a leading-edge tech hub, SETsquared’s pitching process has gone online.
Each company can still deliver a five-minute pitch followed by panel questions and feedback for 10 minutes, to a panel of four to six investors and experts but without needing to leave the incubator.
Member firms of SETsquared, which is also backed by the universities of Bath, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey, are now being trained in the different skills they will need to pitch online.
The new scheme was introduced earlier this month as SETsquared prepares for its annual Accelerating Growth investor showcase on November 24.
SETsquared programme director Karen Brooks, pictured, said: “The whole process ran very smoothly and we were able to conduct 43 pitches online over three days, whereas previously our maximum was 33.
“It proves the technology and internet connections are now at a level to make such a process work, and this way of pitching is now an essential skill for start-ups to learn.
“Pitching online to just a screen is very different to doing a live presentation, but is so important to companies who will be doing business globally from day one.
“The training will develop pitching skills, allowing the entrepreneurs to present to even more investors, potential customers and partners.”
One SETsquared member firm to have used the new process is Inductosense, located in Bristol’s SETsquared base at the city’s Engine Shed innovation hub, it has developed compact wireless sensing technology that can be embedded into structures and products for low-cost monitoring.
CEO Dr Matt Butcher said: “Pitching online saved us time and the process was very efficient. We are operating nationally and being able to pitch well online to both customers and investors is crucial for us.”
Another early user is London-based real-time marketing start-up Fresh Relevance. Its CEO and co-founder Mike Austin said: “The process was very quick and efficient for us. Having the selection panel run entirely online means huge savings on travelling time for everyone – including the panellists.
“Meetings and presentations in our business are increasingly being held online, so being able to pitch effectively through a video conference or screenshare is an essential skill for everybody in the modern business world.”
Karen Brooks has written a guide to online pitching which helps entrepreneurs overcome obstacles such as speaking into a screen and avoiding pitfalls like having their attention stolen by tech problems.
The guide is available here
