Tech - Pre Start to Pitch Programme (Expression of Interest)

Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Arclabs, Boxworks and Crystal Valley Tech have joined forces to develop this initiative aimed at individuals or groups (max 2 participants) who have the seeds of an idea for an innovative tech related business.  This is a pre-start programme designed to bring these ideas to fruition and is being offered free to a limited number of applicants.

This programme is open to those based in Waterford only.

The programme will take place over 1 full day and 1 half day (22^nd and 23^rd April) and the aim is to guide you through the initial stages of developing your idea and bringing it to pitch stage. 

On the first day of the programme we will assist you with reviewing the idea, choosing the correct business model, investigating market trends, planning your route to market and developing your pitch. 

On the second day you will finetune and test your pitch before going in front of the judges who will select the top pitches with prize winners announced on the day. 

Following on from this programme chosen businesses will also be offered mentoring via the LEO to progress their idea further.  The aim of the programme is to help develop your business idea to the stage where you can seriously look at potential funding available to bring it to the next level.    

Spaces are limited and you are requested to complete an expression of interest (EOI) to be part of the event.  Closing date for EOIs is Friday 15^th April at 5pm and you will be notified if you have been successful shortly after this date.

2 of the businesses who pitch will be offered the opportunity to work on developing their idea further while availing of free desk space in Boxworks, sponsored by the LEO for 6 months with additional prizes also on offer.

Those with the seed of an idea in the areas of digital technology, cleantech, fintech, agritech etc. should not miss out on this programme.

Completion of an Expression of Interest is not a guarantee that your business idea will be accepted. All expressions of interest will be reviewed by the Local Enterprise Office, Waterford and ideas will then be selected for the programme.

All information submitted is strictly confidential.

Closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is Friday April 15^th at 5pm.

You will be advised of the outcome of your application by close of business April 18th.

Workshop Content:

1. Ideation
   1. Quality of business idea
   2. Optimising business idea
   3. Key ingredients of a great business idea
   4. Improving your business idea
2. LEAN Business Model Canvas
   1. Demand and Margin – Business Fundamentals
   2. Choosing the correct business model
   3. Starting with the end in mind – what I am trying to achieve
3. Market Opportunity
   1. Market trends and influences
   2. Identifying needs and wants of a market offering
   3. Assessing competitive landscape
   4. Scale of opportunity
   5. Analysing your position and competitive advantage
4. Sales Planning and Projections
   1. Route to market
   2. Identifying key steps for market development
   3. Planning and execution
   4. Pricing and promotion
5. Draft Pitches – Key Components
   1. Refining your value proposition – including interactive group work
   2. Pitching masterclass including practice pitches
6. Trial Pitching
   1. Pitching to the group with feedback from trainer and peers
   2. Pitching to judging panel for placement on programme with prize + further supports.

Trainer – Entrepreneurs Academy

The Entrepreneurs Academy was established in 1998 by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. They are the leading authority on entrepreneurship and leadership in Ireland. They are passionate about personal and businesses development, providing people and enterprises with world-leading training on how to do business smarter.

The Entrepreneurs Academy has 21 years’ experience delivering Start Your Own Business programmes – training, mentoring, coaching, networking and driving them forward through accelerator programmes. During this time, their trainers have trained over 40,000 people in Ireland, helping them maximise their potential in life and business.

As a result, they are recognised experts at training entrepreneurs in igniting and growing their business. They have built a strong reputation for delivering training and mentoring programmes successfully for start-ups, micro-enterprises and SMEs. In addition, they’ve worked on behalf of the government, multinationals, and a host of agencies, including Local Enterprises nationwide.