Soup-event

Brought to the South West by Plymouth University’s GAIN team, Soup is an international crowdfunding phenomenon that originated in Detroit. Investment-hungry businesses pitch their ideas to an audience, who mull over the presentations over soup, before voting for their favourite with their spoons.

The events give businesses the chance to secure a minimum £750 investment, made up of ticket sales and supplemented by GAIN, as well as a package of other benefits. The winner will be considered for a place among the GAIN20. This prestigious new network will give the 20 most innovative and exciting businesses in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset exclusive access to a unique series of opportunities and support over 12 months.

The winning businesses will have the option of taking a place at Plymouth University’s award-winning Formation Zone, which provides workspace as well as professional support. The prize also includes free access to the Futures Entrepreneurship Centre’s BETA Enterprise programme.

Peninsula Honey Company took the top prize at the first Plymouth Soup after founder Dr George Graham asked for support to grow his start-up business, which aims to reduce our nation’s reliance on imported honey by producing more locally. Another pitching business, So Good Studios, was also awarded a place with the GAIN20 after impressing the audience with their presentation.

Corporate Projects Manager for Plymouth University, Richard Adams, said:

“We were overwhelmed by the positive response to the first Soup event and are excited to see what the businesses present this time.  Soup is a global phenomenon and we’re proud to be bringing it to the South West business community for the first time. It’s a really powerful and democratic way for local people to support new business ventures in the community and it is also proving to be a good way for us to find dynamic businesses to join the GAIN20.”

The organisers also believe the event will provide all the pitching entrepreneurs with the opportunity to network and raise awareness of their ventures, regardless of whether or not they win. Feyi Ogunyeye pitched his start-up BrighThinking at the inaugural Plymouth Soup event and said:

“Soup was an amazing experience for me as the confidence and experience that I gained from pitching my business idea to a room full of experienced businessmen and women, whilst being the only student to make it to that stage, is something greatly beneficial for me going forward.”

The event is sponsored by GAIN20 pathfinder company Francis Clark. Any businesses interested in pitching should register by 9.00am on Thursday 28 April.

Tickets are £3.50, which includes entrance to the event, a bowl of soup and a vote. For more details about pitching or to book: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/soup