The hunt is on for aspiring Irish entrepreneurs and business ideas as Virgin Media plans to bring its popular Voom Tour to Ireland at the end of May.
For the first time since the competition’s conception in 2011, the so-called Voom Bus will travel to Ireland in search of the next great business ideas and budding entrepreneurs along the way.
According to the founder of Virgin Media, Sir Richard Branson: “The Voom Bus is going on tour to seek out brilliant Irish and British entrepreneurs and to help them break down the business barriers in their way. We’re bringing the Voom Tour into communities and challenging people to put aside their fears and pitch their business ideas as we travel across Ireland and the UK. The Voom Tour is a fantastic way for people to get started on what could be the most significant journey of their business life.”
Paul Farrell, Vice President for Virgin Media Commercial, adds: “Last year was the first year of VOOM in Ireland and what a success it was with 10% of shortlisted entries Irish ventures. Our recent Virgin Media Business Insights Report found a confident business community growing sales at home and abroad, increasing employment, developing new products and services, and investing in digital technologies and online strategies to drive their potential.
“86% of respondents rated their growth prospects for 2017-18 as good / very good, with revenue expected to grow by 19% this year. Voom Pitch couldn’t come at a better time for these companies. It is an entirely merit based programme so the most innovative, disruptive and original business concepts are the ones that could make it to the top and ultimately present their case to Richard Branson in person. It’s a great way of trialling your business plan and your market entry strategy. We’re really looking forward to welcoming the VOOM Tour to Ireland and helping the brightest and the best Irish companies to perfect their pitching ahead of national competition.”
Over the next six months the Voom Tour schedule will include Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Winchester. In Ireland, the Voom Tour will take place at TechConnect Live 2017, being held on the 31st of May 31 in the RDS, Dublin.
According to Paul Farrell, Virgin Media Business is looking for local people with the courage to pitch their business idea at each tour stop, giving them the chance to win a regional prize of over €5,000, and one of ten chances to meet and receive advice from Sir Richard Branson. Experts from partners including Virgin StartUp will also be on hand to provide valuable expertise, help and advice on how to launch and scale a start-up.
