The Startup Games are coming to Sydney
Don't miss out on your chance to apply for the Sydney Startup Games - apply now and pitch your way to the UK
The UK’s Department for International Trade, through its Global Entrepreneur Programme, is looking for the best and brightest Australian and New Zealand early-stage companies to participate in the Startup Games – a full-day event on 28 February 2017 in Sydney where participants will pitch to top investors, receive valuable mentoring and advice and be in the running for a trip to the UK.
Using our bespoke Startup Games app, participants will pitch for virtual seed capital and the company with the most virtual investment at the end of the event will be declared the winner.
The winner will receive a return business-class flight to the UK (courtesy of British Airways), where they will dive head-first into the local startup ecosystem, meet key industry players and receive specialist advice and support on entering the UK market.
During the Games, participants will also hear from Eric Van der Kleij, serial entrepreneur, founder of Level 39 - Europe’s largest FinTech hub – and tech adviser and dealmaker for the UK Government. He will be joined by Andrew-Corbett Jones, head of Sydney’s Tyro FinTech Hub and Andrew Humphries, co-founder of The Bakery, a startup accelerator in London.
Nick McInnes, Director General, UK Department for International Trade Australia and New Zealand, said: “The Startup Games provide a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure and learn from top Australasian mentors and investors, as well as discover more about growing your business in the UK, with advice from local and visiting experts.
“The UK offers a very friendly environment for Australian startups looking to grow their business internationally. Some of the reasons why startups should consider the UK include low tax rates, access to finance and world-class hubs and accelerators.”
The Games are supported by the UK’s Global Entrepreneur Programme, which works with overseas entrepreneurs with the potential for rapid growth to base all or part of their company in the UK. The programme’s network of 22 UK and overseas based “Dealmakers”, successful entrepreneurs, VCs and angel investors in their own right, provide mentoring and support to firms for whom scaling up in the UK is the right next step in their company’s journey.
Founders and co-founders of early-stage Australian and New Zealand startup companies are encouraged to fill in an application via the website (including a summary business plan). Applications close Friday 10 February 2017.
The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our economy. We are a specialised government body with responsibility for negotiating international trade policy, supporting business, as well as delivering an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.
Contact:
Annie Galea
Head of Communications
UK Department for International Trade – Sydney
Ph: 02 8247 2247
E: annie.galea@mobile.trade.gov.uk
Hannah Lewis
Communications Officer
UK Department for International Trade – Sydney
Ph: 0409 767 775