About the Competition

Our Virtual Investment Day Programme supports UK SMEs to accelerate their commercial sustainable growth by providing:

• Expert hands-on coaching to help selected companies to refine their pitch
• A community platform to connect with visionary investors and like-minded stakeholders
• The opportunity to pitch to investors looking to secure Seed and Early Series A Investment (£250k-£2m)
• Membership to Connected Places Catapult's SME Network for ongoing support and opportunities

How to apply

If you are an innovative, investment ready tech SME from, or catering for, the Rail and Stations Industry, looking to raise Seed to early Series A Funding (£250k-£2m) to accelerate transformation of the industry, then we'd like to hear from you.  
Connected Places Catapult experts will assess the applications based on the information described in the section below, and successful companies will be notified. Applications close on 30th October 2022. 

We are going to select six SMEs with disruptive innovation in the rail and stations industry. We are looking for the best solutions within: 

• Safety - How might we enhance safety at the station through improved station operations?
• Seamlessness - How might we improve the provision of customer information, by tailoring it to passengers' needs and adapting it at times of disruption?
• Social - How might the station be a great place to spend time for passengers and local communities whilst functioning as a transport hub?

What happens next?

An assessment process focusing on the applicant's investment readiness, investment proposition, pitch deck, justifiable valuation, traction, team and exit strategy will be carefully carried out. Up to six companies will be selected to join us and pitch at our Virtual Investor Day, on 24th November 2022 .  
Selected companies will be supported in their preparation for the investment pitch day. This will include a review of their technology business strengths and pitch refinement. 

Selection process

 Applicants must provide the following information: 

1. Clarity of the business growth stage and level of investment sought 
2. Robust evidence of market demand, business sustainability and scalability 
3. A viable (executive summary) business plan financials/projection
4. A description of the team behind your innovation and why they have the right skillset to develop the business 
5. An explanation of the business’ sustainable high growth potential 

6. Description of products and services capable of solving significant problems and capturing opportunities in the listed domains above to support transformation of the industry. 
7. An open link to access your pitch deck (max. 12 PPT Slides) in the following format: Problem, Solution, Product, Market size, Business Model, Underlying magic, Competition, Better/Different, Marketing Plan, Team Slide, Traction/Milestones. 

Preparation

Selected companies will receive free coaching from our experts to help refine their pitches. We will provide companies with the opportunity to improve how they articulate their value proposition, get familiar with the virtual pitching format, practise their pitch, receive feedback from our experts, and gain the confidence to represent their company of the day. 

Our experienced team will assess your technology and provide a summary review to you and the investors before the event. 

• Individual sessions (Pitch and deck review) 
• Group sessions (Dry run)