How KTN is supporting start-ups to get investment ready in the geospatial sector

Posted on: 26/07/2019

KTN leads a cohort of entrepreneurs in the geospatial sector through an investment readiness programme and opportunity to pitch to investors.

 

The Geospatial Insights Special Interest Group, in partnership with Geovation, has delivered an Investment Readiness and Pitchfest Programme designed to support tech-driven firms in the geospatial sector. The verdict from one of the businesses who took part: “100% worthwhile”.

The intensive training programme took place over four weeks as Charlotte Thompson explains: “We covered how to understand the investment ecosystem, including all the different types of investment, and put the businesses in the shoes of an investor. We trained them on how to compete for investment, everything from the elevator pitch, due diligence, business planning and how to value their company. Following this, we looked at how to maximise investment by looking at debt funding, grants, R&D tax credits and concluded with a session on how to find investors.”

From an initial cohort of 12 companies, five businesses made it through to the showcase day, each delivering a neat 7-minute pitch to an audience of investors. The event was held at Geovation, based in London, whose mission is to support early stage location data businesses launch and grow.

 

Rencap, Emu Analytics, Watchkeeper, Geomatic Ventures and Landworth were all given the opportunity to present to investors and stakeholders and it was clear how much they had learned throughout the process and how confidently and concisely they delivered their pitches. KTN will continue to support these firms, and others, and we will be particularly interested to learn of investment deals secured over the coming months.

Rencap CEO Gonzalo Marquesini (pictured centre) said: “Pitch training was excellent. It’s been very helpful in defining what you need to show to investors. It’s very easy from a founder’s perspective to look at “what you want to say” rather than “what do they want to know?”

He continued: “To other start-ups thinking of joining the programme, it’s 100% worthwhile and you get a lot of valuable feedback at each individual stage. At every part of the process, you get inspiration and you learn what works and what doesn’t, so go for it!”

Pitchfest has become and tried and tested formula for KTN, having successfully delivered similar programmes for businesses in the Agri-Food, Robotics and AI sectors. The main part of the training is provided by KTN’s Access to Funding and Finance team, a sector-agnostic team of experts who connect businesses to funding opportunities. The A2FF team then work with the sector leads across KTN, who work to build the cohort and facilitate networking and collaboration within the business community. For more information about the Geospatial Insights SIG, please contact Luca Budello at KTN.

 

Watch the event highlights

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