An innovative platform offering budding tech start-ups a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their business capabilities on the global stage is coming to Australia for the first time. Pitch@Palace Australia aims to guide and connect entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses with potential supporters including CEOs, influencers, investors, mentors and business partners.
The event will see entrepreneurs from across the country flock to one of three host states – Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland – during the Pitch@Palace Australian tour.
Founded in 2014 by His Royal Highness, The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, the global initiative was born as an extension of His Royal Highness’ ongoing endeavours to support and accelerate innovative business ideas. More than 400 start-ups have been provided this unique opportunity for expansion, training and networking since Pitch@Palace launched.
What do participants have to gain from Pitch@Palace?
Each participant will have the opportunity to present their business concept to an expert judging panel, including His Royal Highness, The Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
Following the Australian Pitch@Palace tour, a selection of entrepreneurs from each host state will attend a boot camp in Wollongong. Participants will receive support and guidance to grow their pitch into its most impactful form, before the most promising businesses will be invited to pitch their business proposition at the national final in September. An Australian representative will then be selected to represent the nation at the Pitch@Palace Global event, to be held at London’s St James’s Palace in early December this year.
Last year, Health Delivered, an RMIT Activator-based health-tech start-up, won the right to represent Australia at Pitch@Palace Global. The team continue to reap the rewards of the international networks established through the event to this day.
Commenting on the upcoming tour, The Duke of York said: “I am delighted to be able to bring Pitch@Palace to Australia. Pitch@Palace is designed to support, enhance and add value to start-up and scale-up companies by providing a platform for entrepreneurs and audiences to meet, network and hear the great ideas that are being commercialised and built by the next generation of entrepreneurs. I am looking forward to visiting all the locations where Pitch@Palace is to take place, and wish the entrepreneurs, wherever they may be in Australia, a successful time engaging with Pitch@Palace”
RMIT spokesperson Renzo Scacco said the university was looking forward to seeing all that South Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian entrepreneurs had to offer at the 2017 Melbourne tour event.
“The RMIT community is thrilled to be able to provide a base for the Melbourne leg of this year’s Pitch@Palace Australian tour, where the southern states’ brightest business minds can come together in a collaborative environment to build and strengthen their unique vision. We’re excited to hear all the ideas that will come out of the presentations.”
Applying for Pitch@Palace is easy. Simply head here and complete the application form.
