On June 6th 2023, our team at Stryde decided to step out of our comfort zone and attend the highly anticipated Start-Up Awards North East. We joined businesses from across the region to witness a mixture of two-minute pitches and celebrate entrepreneurial achievements. You could say the day was pitch-perfect.
First up: Networking & Coffee!
The event kicked off at 9am with a sea of professionals ready to tackle the networking game head-on. As soon as we stepped into the venue, we headed for the tea and coffee stand. It's safe to say that caffeine played a big role in energising the crowd, awakening the dormant "morning person" within us all.
Pitches and Award Categories
At 9:30am we filed into the awards room, eagerly awaiting the commencement of the business pitches. The organisers decided to spice things up by introducing not one, not two, but three categories of awards! The Skill Up, Start Up, and Scale Up categories kept us on our toes, making sure we never had a dull moment. And what’s more, each category had a Social Impact Winner and a High Growth Winner. Talk about multiplying the excitement!
Captivating Entrepreneurs & Voting
As the day went on, we couldn't help but marvel at the talent and determination emanating from the stage. These entrepreneurs had perfected the art of condensing their grand visions into 2 minutes. At the end of each category, it was our time to shine as the audience transformed into the judges, casting their votes for their favourite pitch.
Now, let's take a moment to appreciate the task we faced: choosing a single winner. If it were up to us, we would have given everyone a standing ovation, a trophy, and a lifetime supply of coffee (the fuel of entrepreneurship, of course!). Each pitch had its unique charm, leaving us in awe of the creative minds behind these ventures.
Then it was time for our very own CEO, Kieran James to take centre stage to present the Social Impact Award in the Start-Up category—the category that Stryde proudly sponsored. With his infectious charisma and a sparkle in his eye, Kieran shared his own entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the highs, the lows, and the hilariously awkward moments. He made sure to peel back the shiny layers of success and expose the realities of starting a business. Kudos to Kieran for keeping it real and reminding us all that every entrepreneurial journey is unique, unpredictable, and, at times, absolutely bonkers!
- CEO Kieran James Presents
As the event drew to a close, we couldn't help but reflect on the incredible businesses we encountered throughout the day. The North East region brims with innovation, determination, and an unwavering spirit. We hope to see all the amazing finalists taking over the North East business game very soon!
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