The six finalists who took part in the first ever Digital Jersey Tech Start Up Bootcamp gave their final pitches to an audience of investors last week, as the first year of the successful programme came to a close.
Held at the Digital Jersey Hub on 18th May, the event was attended by an audience of more than 100 people, including investors, digital entrepreneurs and representatives from programme collaborators JT, NatWest International, PwC and TEKEX.
At the event, the Bootcampers were given a platform to showcase their cutting-edge business idea and an opportunity to take part in a Q&A session, with the audience then given a chance to vote in real time for the best pitch and most investable business – with Tamsin Raine, founder of Exordi, ultimately identified as the Bootcamper receiving most support.
As her prize, Tamsin will be given tickets to attend the major Slush tech start up and entrepreneur conference in Helsinki, Finland, later this year.
The Tech Start-up Bootcamp started in January, having initially attracted around 40 applications from a broad and diverse range of local entrepreneurs. The selected participants then benefited from a comprehensive twelve-week programme designed to provide them with the best possible opportunity to explore and develop their digital business ideas. As well as taking part in workshops, masterclasses and one-to-one sessions led by industry experts, they were also given a personal mentor and full access to facilities at the Digital Jersey Hub.
The Bootcampers this year were Michael Butler, Elliott Lamb, Joao Oliveira, Manthan Patel, Cameron Pirouet, Tamsin Raine, Jack Smith and Tom Titherington.
Digital Jersey CEO Tony Moretta said: “We have always believed that Jersey is a hot bed of diverse digital talent and ground-breaking ideas that can add huge value to our local economy, and our first ever Tech Start Up Bootcamp proved that to be the case.
“Our Bootcampers have clearly learned so much through their experience over the past 12 weeks and the pitches for their businesses – which ranged from investment platforms and content creation products to gaming apps and mental health technology solutions – were really impressive.
“I’d like to thank our collaborators JT, NatWest International, PwC and TEKEX and all the investors who have shown support for our digital entrepreneurs throughout this initiative. Though this year’s Bootcamp has come to an end, we will continue to support our finalists by giving them the tools and guidance they need to realise their ambitions, and I’m sure that Tamsin will benefit hugely from her experience at the Slush conference later this year.”
Tamsin Raine (pictured), Bootcamper, added: “The last 12 weeks have been an invaluable experience and without this Bootcamp I’d most likely still be working on my business from the comfort of my living room. Today I look back at how far each and every one of the businesses have come and I look forward to continuing to work alongside them and the team at Digital Jersey.
“I am excited at the thought of our start-up attracting local investors and I’m looking forward to continuing some of the discussions I had at the pitch event. Thank you to the entire team at Digital Jersey for making this a possibility!”
