BUSINESSES looking to grow and innovate are being invited to pitch their ideas before an audience with a £10,000 prize at stake.

The festival of innovation Venturefest South has joined tax relief consultancy Catax to launch a Battle of the Pitches contest.

Established businesses looking to grow through new ideas and innovation are invited to submit a one-minute pitch video.

Shortlisted businesses will be invited to pitch live at the #VFS22: Festival of Innovation at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday, November 17, and will be given a spot at the event to showcase their business.

Venturefest South creative director Ed Gould said: “Anyone who knows Venturefest South knows it’s all about providing early-stage businesses with the opportunity to turn good ideas into great businesses.

“That’s why this year we’re launching the Battle of the Pitches - it’s a brilliant opportunity to help your business boom.

‘You’ll get a chance to pitch in the Venturefest South spotlight and there’s a fantastic cash prize incentive. So get your cameras out and send us your video pitch to kick off your entry.”

John Challen, regional development director at Catax, said: “We help businesses uncover their commercial hidden value and after sponsoring Venturefest South last year, we quickly realised how important it was for us to engage further with the vast innovation community in the south.

“We’re thrilled to be supporting the Battle of the Pitches competition this year and can’t wait to hear all of the pitches, and most importantly give one lucky business a £10,000 investment.”

The winners will be picked by Venturefest South partners and industry leaders as well as the audience at the festival.

As well as the £10,000 prize, the winner will get a business support package from sponsors, including a year’s membership to Innovation Connect.

Details are at venturefestsouth.co.uk/battle-of-the-pitches