Hamilton, Bermuda 22 September 2021 – If you are a student under 18 with a burning idea for a new business, now is the time to develop your idea! The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is looking for students across the island to pitch the next great idea for a chance to compete in the Youth Pitch category of the Rocket Pitch Competition.
This year the Youth Pitch Preliminary Competition will be held on October 28th as a virtual event run via the online platform Zoom. The BEDC will host it with the help of major sponsors, Horizon Communications, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, and the Economic Development Department. The top two business ideas will advance to the Rocket Pitch finals scheduled on November 9th as part of the Rocket Pitch Competition.
The framework of the Youth Pitch is simple: the presenter(s) has five minutes and eight slides to tell the story of their business or idea to a panel of judges and then respond to questions. This process will involve a virtual preliminary competition on Thursday, October 28th, to select the top two finalists. They will compete in the Rocket Pitch Finals for a chance to win $5,000, which includes a startup package of cash and services to assist with the development of their business idea.
Raymond Lambert, Director of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises at BEDC, said, “This is a great opportunity to turn your business idea into reality. Young people look at things from a different perspective, and this year we are looking forward to new and exciting submissions.”
Last year’s Youth Pitch winners, Lore de Kock and Moya Van Niekerk, students at the Bermuda High School for girls, won 1st place with their business idea Volunteer Bermuda – an online platform that seamlessly connects charities with volunteers. Mya Furbert-Jacobs took home the 2nd place prize with her custom cosmetics line. Mya describes her experience: “I had never thought that I would get the opportunity to compete in Youth Pitch and go onto Rocket Pitch and present to an even larger group and win a sum for my business. When I was announced 2nd place winner for the Rocket Pitch Competition, I was proud of myself. Proud of myself for bringing myself forward and for trying. The most important skill to have as an entrepreneur is the ability to try and never give up. Businesses and entrepreneurs have their ups and downs, and it is vital to stay focused and never give up on a dream you believe in.”
Those who enter the Youth Pitch competition will also receive plenty of support. BEDC will host free workshops that will consist of presentation tips and coaching. Entrants are encouraged to download their Pitch Kits to get started. The Pitch Kit is a guide that will help you create your pitch and ensure that you provide all of the necessary information. Download Pitch Kits at www.gew.bm. Please submit your completed Pitch
Kit at www.gew.bm or email it to info@bedc.bm. The submission deadline is Monday, October 11th, by 5 pm. For further details, email info@bedc.bm.
About BEDC
Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is Bermuda’s premier source of free confidential business advice for entrepreneurs. The mission is to serve Bermuda’s local business community with the highest degree of professionalism by providing, authoritative business advice; counsel and loan guarantee support. Bermuda Business Starts Here! For more information visit www.bedc.bm
