The Irish participants in the Voom 2016 pitchathon with Virgin Media Ireland CEO Tony Hanway
Fifteen Irish businesses are in London today and tomorrow to take part in Virgin Media’s Voom 2016 Pitchathon, where they will vie against start-ups from the UK for a share of a €1.2m prize fund.
Voom 2016 this year includes Irish companies for the first time.
The 15 Irish candidates are among 160 top businesses shortlisted across each of the two competition categories –Start-up and Grow – after over half a million public votes were cast across Ireland and the UK.
Taking place over 29 hours, from 11am on today (1 June) to 4pm tomorrow, the Voom 2016 Pitchathon is also a live-streamed attempt at a Guinness World Record, featuring 160 back-to-back pitches.
Among the top contenders is the Boeing 767 Transport-Themed Glamping Village, which recently towed a jet all the way along Ireland’s Atlantic western coast to Enniscrone in Sligo.
Last year’s winner was Jeff Paterson, founder of Fourex – an automated kiosk that turns unsorted foreign currency into British notes and coins –who has seen his machines used across the London Underground network.
Today, Irish businesses pitching will include River Rye Brewing, Travelling Languages, Rebrandly, Yoghanda, Foodcloud, Havana Life, Wandsville and the Boeing 767 Transport-Themed Glamping Village.
Tomorrow, pitches will be made from Irish firms including Cleverbooks, Glamour & Fashion Scents, N17 Brewery, PowCow, The Wadi Tribe and GolfBirdie Pitch.
