Virgin Media Business VOOM pitch competition seeks entries
Melanie May | 5 May 2016 | News
Virgin Media Business’s pitch competition VOOM 2016 is open for entries until 10th May.
The competition aims to boost local businesses by offering them the chance to win a share of £1,000,000 in prizes and pitch their businesses to Sir Richard Branson. It relies on public votes at www.vmbvoom.com to shortlist what they consider to be the UK and Ireland’s 80 most exciting entrepreneurs.
There are two categories in the competition: one for start-ups, and the other for growing initiatives. The winner of each category will receive a £250,000 ad campaign and £50,000 in cash, as well as social media and PR support, a broadband and telecoms package, mentoring, and financial advice. There are also prize packages for four runners-up.
GivePenny, a new online charitable giving platform that uses pledges to motivate fundraisers to reach their personal goals is currently at number 56 out of over 7,000 entries.
Lee Clark, founder and CEO said:
“As a startup, putting a new concept into the public domain without a significant marketing budget means we currently rely on people using the platform sharing their positive fundraising experiences with their friends and family. Progressing in a competition with such wide media attention as VOOM attracts means we can begin to share our ideas with more and more people.”
Other social good initiatives in the running include:
Bravo2Blue: the UK’s first fast track clinical rehabilitation centre supporting hidden and physical wounds for military veterans and emergency services through clinical treatments, rehabilitation and holistic nursing care.
Free You Programme: a coaching programme designed specifically to help survivors of abuse through a seven-step approach to recovery.
360Carer: an online marketplace platform designed to connect freelance carers to clients in their local area without agency and care home fees.
Resilience Wellbeing Success: a programme to help pupils develop life-long skills in improving resilience, overall wellbeing and success in all areas of their lives.
The Atom Club: a non-profit science and coding Club for children that offers Free after-school clubs, online lessons, mobile planetariums and affordable STEM toys.
Sir Richard Branson said:
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‘‘Virgin Media Business VOOM 2016 is all about seeking out, supporting and celebrating the UK’s and Ireland’s most exciting businesses. It’s the biggest and most valuable pitch competition out there – we’re hoping everyone will find a way to get involved.”
Applications close on 10th May, followed by voting on 23rd May. The shortlist will be announced on 25th May with the grand finale taking place on 28th June.
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.