Further to the launch of BIPC Jumpstart last month, the Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has today introduced the judges that are now signed up to support the programme and choose its winners.
BIPC Jumpstart offers grants, resources and support designed to help start-up businesses get set and grow. £25k of grants is set to be awarded as a key benefit of the BIPC Jumpstart programme; as well as further prizes and business support packages.
The specially selected judges have been invited to participate in light of their exceptional business links across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Judges will either shortlist and mentor the programme applicants, or choose the BIPC Jumpstart winners during the pitching event set to take place in December 2022. The confirmed judges so far who will be choosing our BIPC Jumpstart winners are:
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Danielle Bridge – Founder and Chief Executive of ABC Life Support
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Chris George – Hub Manager for Growth Works
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Paul Pankhurst – CEO for DogNBone
BIPC Jumpstart is currently open to start-up businesses that registered in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough on or after 1 November 2021, or those that will be registered and trading in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough within two months of receiving a BIPC Jumpstart grant.
Applications close on 28 October 2022 and after this date, the judges will review all applications to determine a shortlist of entrants, and work closely with them to prepare their pitch. Each shortlisted business will then present to our BIPC Jumpstart pitch judges in November. Pitch judges will judge the applicants on the merit of their pitch alone, before choosing our final BIPC Jumpstart grant recipients in December.
Councillor Tom Sanderson, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee, said: “BIPC Jumpstart offers a truly unique opportunity for our area’s start-up businesses. We are delighted to have involvement from our judging panel – their role is key, and we thank them hugely for their support and commitment in the programme.”
Danielle Bridge said: “What an opportunity to be part of the BIPC Jumpstart scheme once again this year. The experience last year was brilliant and as such I am looking forward to what I think will be another great event. Being able to listen to the business pitches of the founders and business owners from Cambridge and Peterborough who have made it through to the judges is an absolute honour and I am excited to hear about the new ideas and products that could go on to have an impact in our community."
Chris George said: "Jumpstart is an amazing opportunity for local businesses to access a buffet of funding, I am very excited to see what exciting businesses we see this year."
To be eligible, business owners need to fully engage in at least three BIPC sessions from the live seven week programme, before submitting their BIPC Jumpstart application form and responses to the five critical questions.
More information about the BIPC Jumpstart programme and downloadable entry forms are available to view at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/BIPCjumpstart, with ongoing promotions across social media using the hashtag #BIPCjumpstart.
