Local firms pitch ideas at Taming the Dragons event

This story is over

Back for its sixth consecutive year, the Taming the Dragons event took place at the University of Lincoln last week, with three businesses pitching their ideas and plans to a panel of four ‘dragons’, hoping to snap up a business investment deal.

Lincolnshire Investment Network, part of the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub, teamed up with Streets Chartered Accountants, Fraser Brown Solicitors and NatWest Business to deliver the business event in front of a live audience.

The showcase evening began with Russell Copley from Lincolnshire Investment Network, introducing the four Lincolnshire ‘dragons’ to the room – Martin Avison, founder of Angel Groups Franchising Limited, Simon Jones, Managing Director of SJ Associates (Hemingford) Ltd, David Williams, Director of 3w Growth Ltd and Neil Everatt, CEO of Selenity.

It was then time for the businesses to stand before the dragons.

Joe Cusdin pitching with his business Iventis Ltd

Pitching first was Joe Cusdin with his business Iventis Ltd, based at the University of Lincoln’s Sparkhouse. Iventis specialise in the development of innovating information management and operational planning software solutions for the organisers of major events (i.e. the Olympic Games) and other large-scale operations.

The second pitch came from Daniel Howitt, whose business Recap Technologies Ltd focuses on their development of a privacy-focused accountancy application for tracking, analysing and reporting on cryptocurrency finances.

Daniel Howitt pitching with his business Recap Technologies Ltd

The closing pitch came from Karl Sandford; Director of Your Global Café – a virtual social platform connecting international students with their peers.

After a period of deliberation, representatives from Streets, Fraser Brown and NatWest declared Joe from Iventis Ltd to have delivered the best pitch and presented him with a cash prize.

Karl Sandford pitching with his business Your Global Café

Joe said: “It was a great experience and led to some very interesting discussions afterwards on a number of levels.

“It was also a big confidence boost to win and see so much interest in my business – I’m feeling very excited about the opportunity for us and where we can take it.”

Russell Copley, who led the event, added: “I am really pleased with the quality of pitches and very grateful to the panel for their questioning, insight and support.

“I very much look forward to hearing how our pitchers develop in the next few months!”