Announcing the high profile business representatives set to judge BIPC Jumpstart applications
December 16, 2021
Further to the launch of BIPC Jumpstart last month, the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has today introduced the judges that are now signed up to support the programme and choose its winners.
BIPC Jumpstart offers grants, resources and support designed to help start-up businesses get set and grow. £30k of grants is set to be awarded as a key benefit of the BIPC Jumpstart programme; as well as further prizes and business support packages.
The especially selected judges have been invited to participate in the programme in light of their exceptional business links across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Judges will either shortlist and mentor the programme applicants, or choose the BIPC Jumpstart winners during the pitching event set to take place in February 2022. The confirmed judges are:
BIPC Jumpstart consultants – to shortlist and mentor applicants
- Tom Hennessy – Chief Executive, Opportunity Peterborough
- Councillor Lis Every – East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Andy Maul – Owner of Bygone a Diner, Wisbech
BIPC Jumpstart pitch judges – to choose pitch event winners
- Julie Deane CBE – Founder and Chief Executive of The Cambridge Satchel Company
- Vic Annells – Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
- Danielle Bridge – Founder and Chief Executive of ABC Life Support
- Alex Hughes – Founder of Shift Momentum and Shifties
After the 14 January 2022 closing date, our BIPC Jumpstart consultant judges will review all applications and business plans to determine a shortlist of entrants, and work closely with them to prepare their pitch. Each shortlisted business will then present to our BIPC Jumpstart pitch judges at Cambridge Central Library on 28 February 2022. Pitch judges will judge the applicants on the merit of their pitch alone, before choosing our final 2022 BIPC Jumpstart grant recipients.
Councillor Steve Allen, Deputy Leader of Peterborough City Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Communities, said: “The interest that we have seen in BIPC Jumpstart so far is hugely positive; with our package of support tools and the opportunity to be chosen as a grant recipient immediately drawing the attention of new businesses across the area. We are hugely excited to find out more about these businesses and work closely with our judges to ascertain how the BIPC Jumpstart programme could help them.”
Councillor Tom Sanderson, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee, said: “BIPC Jumpstart offers a truly unique opportunity for our area’s start-up businesses and the support on offer is set to make a big impact on each and every business that applies; especially for those chosen as our grant recipients. We are delighted to have involvement from all our consultant advisers and pitch judging panel – their role is key, and we thank them hugely for their support and commitment in the programme.”
BIPC Jumpstart is open to start-up businesses that registered in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough on or after 14 January 2021, or those that will be registered and trading in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough within two months of receiving the BIPC Jumpstart grant in February 2022.
To be eligible to apply, business owners need to fully engage in at least three BIPC business support tools, before submitting a business plan and BIPC Jumpstart application form. Within the form, applicants are asked to highlight how a grant allocation (of up to maximum of £5,000) would make a difference to their business. Applications are open until Friday 14 January 2022.
More information about the BIPC Jumpstart programme and downloadable entry forms are available to view at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/BIPCjumpstart, with ongoing promotions across social media using the hashtag #BIPCjumpstart.
The Business & IP Centre Cambridgeshire & Peterborough provides free and low-cost business support and advice to start up business owners, entrepreneurs, and inventors. From five BIPC libraries across the area – Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, Peterborough and Wisbech – its in-house experts and incredible resources support pre-start and start-up businesses every day. The Centre is part of the British Library’s highly successful network of library-based BIPCs across England, and is delivered through Cambridgeshire County Council & Peterborough City Council.