London to host the world’s top start-ups and entrepreneurs for the Start-Up Games

London to host the world’s top start-ups and entrepreneurs for the Start-Up Games

Applications are now open – companies are invited to apply and compete to be recognised as a winning start-up

London, 26 July 2012 – UK Trade & Investment’s (UKTI’s) Tech City Investment Organisation (TCIO) invites the world’s most talented entrepreneurs and brightest start-ups to London for three days of intense training and competition, and the chance to be recognised as an international start-up champion at the first ever Start-Up Games. Applications are now open, and just 300 people from start-up teams representing the highest-performing, highest-potential companies will be invited to participate.

“Entrepreneurship is incredibly important to the growth of the global economy, and the innovation that comes from start-ups has the potential to fundamentally change the way we work, live and socialise. By hosting the Start-Up Games, we want to spotlight the great potential of these entrepreneurs and young companies,” said Eric van der Kleij, CEO of TCIO.

Taking place from August 29-31 at Hackney House in the heart of London’s Tech City during the 2012 Paralympic Games, competitors will be put through their paces as they compete in categories including product development, protecting IP, brand, marketing & sales, and business development. Throughout the three days participants will hear from top UK entrepreneurs and digital leaders such as Dan Crow, CTO, Songkick; Paul Birch, Co-Founder of Bebo; Gerald Walker, Head of Bloomberg Ventures UK; Georg Ell, General Manager EMEA at Yammer; and Debu Purkayastha, Principal, New Business Development, Google.

National campaign, StartUp Britain, will be promoting the competition to start-ups and growing businesses across the UK: “We’re delighted to promote the StartUp Games as it will bring together top entrepreneurs from across the UK who will inspire and learn from each other while meeting potential trading partners from across the globe,” said Oli Barrett, co-founder of StartUp Britain.

Initial applications to compete in the StartUp Games will be judged by a panel of experts from UKTI on criteria including the stage of the business, ability to articulate competitive differentiation and a summary of the company’s business plan. Successful applicants will be invited to the Games, with the qualifying rounds commencing on August 29^th. Seven “Torch Bearers”, representing the most compelling initial applications, will be selected to co-host sessions during the next day’s competitions. Throughout the Games, competitors will participate in business-focused and collaborative sessions, and participate in specialised training sessions. On the last day of competition, category winners and an overall champion will be announced.

Kraft is the main sponsor of the Start-Up Games.

Think you have what it takes? Visit the Start-Up Games website and apply now.

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Notes to Editors:

For more information on the Tech City Investment Organisation, please contact: 020 7413 3751 or [email protected].

For more information on StartUp Britain, please contact Liz Slee, StartUp Britain, [email protected] or 07540 060112

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at www.ukti.gov.uk/media.

About StartUp Britain

The StartUp Britain campaign is backed by Government but operates as a fully private sector supported venture. It was founded by eight individuals and business owners and is sponsored by AXA, Dell, Intel, Intuit, PayPal and Magento. Its role is to inspire, accelerate and celebrate entrepreneurship. www.startupbritain.org