# Virgin Media Business VOOM pitch competition seeks entries - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/05/05/virgin-media-business-voom-pitch-competition-seeks-entries/ - Published: 2016-05-05T09:05:23+01:00 - Author: Melanie May **Virgin Media Business’s pitch competition [VOOM 2016](http://www.vmbvoom.com) is open for entries until 10^(th) 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](http://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. ## Advertisement [GivePenny](https://www.vmbvoom.com/pitches/givepenny-raising-money-for-charity-in-fun-new-ways), 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](https://www.vmbvoom.com/pitches/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](https://www.vmbvoom.com/pitches/the-free-you-programme-openly-unique-1): a coaching programme designed specifically to help survivors of abuse through a seven-step approach to recovery. [360Carer](https://www.vmbvoom.com/pitches/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](https://www.vmbvoom.com/pitches/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](https://www.vmbvoom.com/pitches/atom-club-non-profit-science-coding-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: > ‘‘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 10^(th) May, followed by voting on 23^(rd) May. The shortlist will be announced on 25^(th) May with the grand finale taking place on 28^(th) June. * **[Songwriter competition to raise funds for Cancer Research UK](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/05/16/songwriter-competition-raise-funds-cancer-research-uk/)**( 16 May 2016) * **[Movember wins second annual Manifesto charity quiz](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/08/03/movember-wins-second-annual-manifesto-charity-quiz/)**( 3 August 2016) * **[Stoves re-opens Community Kitchens competition for nominations](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/08/30/stoves-re-opens-community-kitchens-competition-nominations/)**( 30 August 2016) ![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader- 2x.gif)