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 partners 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 their 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 attracted applications from a broad and diverse range of local entrepreneurs. 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 Tamsin Raine, Cameron Pirouet, Jack Smith, Elliott Lamb, Michael Butler, Joao Oliveira, Tom Titherington and Manthan Patel.
Tony Moretta, CEO, Digital Jersey, 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 X will benefit hugely from their experience at the Slush conference later this year.”
Tamsin Raine, Bootcamper, added: “The last 12 weeks has been an invaluable experience and without this bootcamp I’d most likely still 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 continually working alongside them and the team at DJ. 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 last week at the pitching event. Thank you to the entire team at DJ for making this a possibility! ”
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