Following the launch of BIPC Jumpstart last month, the Business & IP Center (BIPC) Cambridgeshire & Peterborough today presented the judges who are now registered to support the program and choose its winners.
BIPC Jumpstart offers grants, resources and support designed to help start-up businesses get started and grow. £ 30,000 in grants to be awarded as a key benefit of the BIPC Jumpstart program; as well as other awards and business support packages.
Specially selected judges have been invited to participate in the program in light of their exceptional business ties across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The judges will shortlist and mentor the candidates for the program, or choose the winners of the BIPC Jumpstart at the launch event which will take place in February 2022. The confirmed judges are:
BIPC Jumpstart Consultants – to shortlist and mentor candidates
- Tom Hennessy – CEO, Opportunity Peterborough
- Lis Every Councilor – East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Andy Maul – Owner of Bygone a Diner, Wisbech
BIPC Jumpstart pitch judges – to choose the winners of the pitch events
- Julie Deane CBE – Founder and Managing Director of The Cambridge Satchel Company
- Vic Annells – Managing Director of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
- Danielle Bridge – Founder and CEO of ABC Life Support
- Alex Hughes – Founder of Shift Momentum and Shifties
After the closing date of January 14, 2022, our BIPC Jumpstart consultant judges will review all applications and business plans to determine a shortlist of participants and work closely with them to prepare their pitch. Each shortlisted company will then present our BIPC Jumpstart pitch judges at Cambridge Central Library on the 28the February 2022. The pitch judges will judge the candidates solely on the merits of their pitch, before choosing our last recipients of the BIPC Jumpstart 2022 grant.
Councilor Steve Allen, Deputy Head of Peterborough City Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Communities, said: “The interest we have seen in the BIPC Jumpstart so far is extremely positive; with our supportive toolset and the possibility of being chosen as a grant recipient, immediately catching the attention of new businesses in the region. We are excited to learn more about these companies and to work closely with our judges to determine how the BIPC Jumpstart program could help them. ”
Councilor Tom Sanderson, Chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee, said: “BIPC Jumpstart offers a truly unique opportunity for start-ups in our region and the support offered should have a big impact on every business that applies; especially for those chosen as our grant recipients. We are delighted to have the participation of all of our Consultant Consultants and Pitch Jury – their role is essential, and we thank them very much for their support and commitment to the program.
BIPC Jumpstart is open to start-ups that registered in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough on or after January 14, 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 must fully engage with at least three BIPC business support tools, before submitting a business plan and BIPC Jumpstart application form. In the form, applicants are invited to outline how a grant award (up to a maximum of £ 5,000) would make a difference to their business. Applications are open until Friday, January 14, 2022.
More information on the BIPC Jumpstart program and downloadable entry forms are available at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/BIPCjumpstart, with promotions underway on social media using the hashtag #BIPCjumpstart.
The Business & IP Center Cambridgeshire & Peterborough provides free, low-cost business support and advice to business owners, entrepreneurs and start-up inventors. From five BIPC libraries across the region – Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, Peterborough and Wisbech – its in-house experts and incredible resources support pre-startup and start-up businesses every day. The Center is part of the highly successful network of British Library-based BIPCs across England, and is provided by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council.
Business and IP Center (BIPC) Cambridgeshire & Peterborough press release
