How to enter

The Pitch is free to enter. The only criteria are that your business must be based in the UK, established for less than three years at the time of entry, employ no more than 20 members of staff, and that you are at least 16 years of age.

The closing dates for entries to each of the Regional Heats are as follows:

Bristol: 1 June
(heat takes place on 9 June)
Manchester: 8 June
(heat takes place on 17 June)
Glasgow: 15 June
(heat takes place on 23 June)
Birmingham: 1 July
(heat takes place on 8 July)
London: 6 July
(heat takes place on 14 July)

Important note It's worth taking plenty of time to think about your entry, reviewing and rewriting your responses for maximum impact. Also, providing a written business plan in addition to your entry form will boost your application.

Your entry can be submitted via this webpage, or via a Microsoft Word document that you should download to your computer and email back to Rita Andrews.

DOWNLOAD THE WORD DOCUMENT or continue below to complete the online form.

Good luck!

The Pitch entry form

Which regional event would you like to enter?

About you

Full name:

I am at least 16 years of age.

Email address:

Mobile telephone number:

Home telephone number:

Business telephone number:

Present occupation:

Marital status:

Home address:

Where did you find out about The Pitch?:

About your business

Business name (type 'none' if you haven't yet started trading):

Business address:

Business website:

How long have you been trading? (e.g., 2 years 6 months):

How many directors does your company have?:

And how many people do you employ, excluding directors?:

What was your annual turnover for the last full trading year, or the current year to date if you have traded for less than 12 months? (please use exact numbers, e.g. £355,000):

Please describe your business in one sentence:

In more detail, please give a clear and comprehensive outline of your business or idea:

Prove your Pitch

Using no more than 200 words for each section, please explain how your business or idea demonstrates:

Innovation

Notes: The judges will look for innovation in the following areas: Concept and/or product design; Product delivery; Marketing and PR; and Customer service.

Understanding of the market

Notes: The judges will look for evidence that the entrepreneur has identified a genuine need for his or her business' product or service and fully understands his or her target market.

Communication and engagement with customers

Notes: The judges will look for evidence that the business is working efficiently with customers or potential customers to keep them up to date with product news and developments, and to respond to enquiries and complaints.

Financial and business management

Notes: The judges will look for evidence of sound financial and business management and planning. The judges will look for evidence that the entrepreneur has put in place or identified a competent management team and that there is a plan in place to encourage and sustain further growth.

Further questions

If appropriate, at what stage of copyright or patent protection are you?:

Have you ever been declared bankrupt, or disqualified from being a director of a company? (please give details):

Have you got any criminal convictions? (please give details):

Terms & Conditions

I agree to the Terms & Conditions for entering The Pitch.

Supported by

PR partner

How to enter

The Pitch entry form

About you

About your business

Prove your Pitch

Further questions

Terms & Conditions

In association with:

Gold sponsors:

Supported by

PR partner

How to enter

The Pitch entry form

About you

About your business

Prove your Pitch

Further questions

Terms & Conditions