A Wildcard in a UK-wide competition for an Innovation Centre client

Hillington Park Innovation Centre based Energy Mechanics are now one of five Scottish start-ups that are through to the wildcard stage of The Pitch 2009, a national small business competition, and if successful could win £50,000 of business support services. Energy Mechanics assesses and advises on the renewable energy options for businesses and private residences, and supplies the equipment for them to be able to generate their own power and reduce their carbon footprint.

They are competing against small business owners from around the UK, hoping to get enough public support to go through to The Pitch grand final in November, where they will have to present their business idea to a panel of judges including former TV Dragon Doug Richard.

This summer, The Pitch 2009, organised by SME advice website BusinessZone.co.uk, has seen intense competition in five UK regional heats. Entrants had to pitch their business ideas to panels of successful local entrepreneurs and investors who then selected the winners to go through to the grand final in November.

 “We’re really pleased to have reached the regional final, but it’s up to the public to vote us through into the London grand final, where we’ll have to present our business to a panel of experts including an ex-TV Dragon and a winner of The Apprentice, all in front of a live studio audience” Alan Powell, Energy Mechanics

Energy Mechanics presentation and information on all the entrants and footage from all the heats is available to watch at www.businesszone.co.uk/pitch-2009. The public must now choose, by voting online, which runner up will go through to the final in London in November.

“This is an exciting time in The Pitch 2009 competition. Events like this that bring a focus on the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and offer help and advice are incredibly important. Small businesses are fundamental to our economic recovery, and the more help we can provide, the better. It will be interesting to see which entrant is rated highest by the public; I can see a number of potential wildcard winners, I wonder if they will agree.” Doug Richard, Grand final judge

With the Wildcard entries now open you are encouraged to visit and view our pitch under the Scotland region button and vote for us!