Deadline: 25 March 2024
Apply for the Rising Stars the Tech Nation’s pitch competition for early-stage tech startups.
This exciting event provides a valuable platform for tech startups to showcase their innovations locally, regionally, and nationally. Such exposure will substantially enhance their brand visibility and attract potential customers, partners, and investors.
Finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their businesses on the formidable London Tech Week (LTW) stage, PLUS gain access to numerous prizes set to propel their businesses forward.
The Prizes
Win prizes worth over £170k in value to help skyrocket your business! From media and communications support to go-to-marketing strategies and C-suite hires, each finalist will directly benefit from the prizes.
- First Place Finalist
- £30k Out-of-Home Media Package: Amplify your reach with a £30,000 out-of-home media package from Rising Stars partner JCDecaux Nurture.
- £80k Brand and Go-to-Market Campaign: Immerse your brand in the spotlight with a brand and go-to-market campaign valued at £80,000 with the support of the experts at Founders Makers. From brand refinement to targeted advertisements, Founders Makers will help to elevate your presence in the market.
- £60,000 Executive Hire: Secure your dream team with the first C-Suite hire courtesy of Founders Keepers, valued at £60,000.
- Therapy Sessions: Invest in your well-being with three hours of tailored therapy sessions, provided by professionals experienced in supporting founders and high performers.
- 36k Social Reach: Reach over 360,000 eager minds as your startup gains exposure across the Tech Nation, Founders Forum, and London Tech Week social channels.
- Exclusive Invite: Land a nomination to attend the prestigious Founders Forum Global, joining over 400 pioneering entrepreneurs – including 200 unicorn founders – and 130 world-class VCs representing $1.5 trillion AUM.
- VenturePath Membership: Access quarterly growth diagnostics, over 100 hours of on-demand leadership learning content, exclusive in-person events, and a vibrant community of fellow founders and associated VCs. Additionally, receive 2 complimentary tickets worth £500 to the VenturePath annual celebration of success.
- Second Place Finalist and Third Place Finalist
- £15k Out-of-Home Media Package: Amplify your reach with a £15,000 out-of-home media package from Rising Stars partner JCDecaux Nurture.
- Campaign Ready Sessions: Dive deep into strategic planning for your brand with two campaign-ready sessions conducted by Founders Makers to help propel your business to new heights.
- Therapy Sessions: Invest in your well-being with three hours of tailored therapy sessions, provided by professionals experienced in supporting founders and high performers.
- Global Exposure: Gain visibility on Tech Nation, Founders Forum, and London Tech Week’s social channels, reaching a combined audience of over 360,000 individuals.
- Exclusive Invite: Land a nomination to attend the prestigious Founders Forum Global, joining over 400 pioneering entrepreneurs – including 200 unicorn founders – and 130 world-class VCs representing $1.5 trillion AUM.
- VenturePath Membership: Access quarterly growth diagnostics, over 100 hours of on-demand leadership learning content, exclusive in-person events, and a vibrant community of fellow founders and associated VCs. Additionally, receive 2 complimentary tickets worth £500 to the VenturePath annual celebration of success.
- Regional Finalists
- Tailored Coaching Sessions: Receive personalised guidance through 10 one-to-one coaching sessions with Manageable, empowering you to navigate challenges and optimise your startup’s trajectory.
- Resource Package: Access resources, tools, discounts, and social sharing collateral to amplify your startup’s visibility and growth potential.
- Global Exposure: Showcase your venture to a vast audience across Tech Nation, Founders Forum, and London Tech Week’s social channels, opening doors to new opportunities and connections.
What’s in it for your startup?
- Unparalleled Exposure
- Showcase your innovation on a local, regional, and national scale, whilst boosting your brand and attracting potential customers, partners, and investors
- Tailored Support
- Refine your business strategy and pitch capabilities with insights from experienced investors and industry experts
- Networking with Influential Stakeholders
- Build connections that lead to potential funding, strategic partnerships, and a supportive network
- Global Recognition
- Finalists will pitch to over 1000 attendees on the Founders stage at London Tech Week – a global celebration of tech, uniting the most innovative thinkers and tech talent
Who is Rising Stars for?
They want to showcase the brightest and best that UK tech has to offer but applicants must meet a few simple criteria, including:
- Headquartered in the UK
- A digital tech business with a product or service to sell
- At Seed to pre-Series A funding stage. If the company is bootstrapped, maximum annual revenues are below £1.5 million
- Able to demonstrate market traction
- At least one active client or pilot
- Ambition to scale
- Able to commit to Rising Stars dates
For more information, visit Tech Nation.