Tech Start Ups Vie for Attention at Entrepreneurial Boot Camp Sponsored by UK Trade & Investment

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in conjunction with venture collaboration group - The Hatchery – recently hosted the ‘Gauntlet’, an event showcasing some of the hottest UK start ups in the financial and media capital of the US.

The ‘Gauntlet’ produced a platform for three of the UK’s brightest digital media firms – Huddle, Rummble and Tailgate Technologies – to refine their business plans and then present their funding pitches to a high calibre and captive audience from New York’s vibrant technology scene.

David Blumstein, co-founder of The Hatchery and brains behind the ‘Gauntlet’ – the most interactive event of its kind – helped to critique, coach and prepare the firms for the event previously described as ‘American Idol meets Venture Capital’. He said: ‘This event has and will continue to serve as a gateway for entrepreneurs from all over the world to present themselves in the most professional manner to those who will play a big part in their future. The evening would not have been possible without the fullest support of UKTI.’

The presenting companies were selected from a pool of 50 firms in a competitive process that required firms to submit a business plan, describe their technology, growth strategy and management team. The presenters were chosen due to their innovative platforms within the social networking space and aggressive growth and customer targets by a panel of judges which included investment professionals from Virgin Group, GSAVP and Bessemer Venture Partners.

UKTI further highlighted its commitment to support SMEs’ (small and medium-size enterprises’) international expansion by working with British Airways to fly the companies over the Atlantic for free to bring them to the forefront of New York’s technology ecosystem. UKTI Director USA, Nick McInnes, said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for these three British companies to showcase the very best of British technology to the New York venture capital community. We are very grateful to The Hatchery for their excellent support and advice on the delivery of this event’.

The evening, attended by over 100 professionals from the New York venture capital, technology, and media industries, was a roaring success, enabling the British companies to polish their presentation skills and receive advice from a panel of industry experts, whilst giving them exposure to high level VCs and media contacts and an opportunity to forge strategic partnerships.

Participating company details:

Huddle – (www.huddle.net) – is an online collaboration platform for the Enterprise: combining online workspaces, live conferencing, project management and document sharing. Huddle was represented by Andy McLoughlin.

Rummble – (www.rummble.com) – makes it easier to share & discover places and points of interest nearby that you will like. Rummble was represented by Andrew Scott.

Tailgate Technologies – (www.tailgatetechnologies.com) – transforms any digital display media (videos, mobile apps, banner ads, widgets, social network apps) into ecommerce. Tailgate Technologies was represented by Christopher Autry.

For more information about this event or forthcoming missions, including the UKTI’s Web 2.0 Digital Mission to New York, Nov ’09, please contact:

Patricia Young Trade & Investment Officer British Consulate-General, New York Tel: (212) 745-0451 Email: patricia.young@fco.gov.uk

Niall Gordon Business Development Associate British Consulate-General, New York Tel: (212) 745-0221 Email: niall.gordon@fco.gov.uk

About UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK's economy - acknowledged as Europe's best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. Learn more at UKTI.

About The Hatchery

The Hatchery is a venture collaboration platform founded in 2007 on the fundamental principle that all technology companies have the right to access business experts and leading-edge information. Learn more at The Hatchery.