What is the Pitch Contest?
The 6th cohort of The Circle Academy is coming to a close. Some of our candidates will showcase their organisation and new skills by participating in The Circle Academy Pitch Contest.
As well as promoting their work, candidates will have a chance to win a small pot of funding for their business. We are raising money for the funding pot online and will match the final amount raised.
You can donate today over here.
How does it work?
Participants will give 3-minute pitches on their business/project/idea and then our panel of judges will ask them some questions.
Our panel will deliberate and announce which candidate wins the pitch fund for their business.
The Circle will announce the winner across our social media and website.
🔗 Book your FREE online ticket here
Meet the Judging Panel
Our expert judging panel has different experiences and interests related to enterprise and the third sector.
Find out who they are below.
Eddie Baines
Dundee born, Eddie has lived all over the UK. He was a student Vice President and is a social activist. He is a believer in not moaning and getting out there and creating the change you want to see.
Eddie went through our Academy and created a charity which is now thriving. He is now part of a new programme called “2027.” 2027 is a professional development programme from The National Lottery Community Fund. They look for people from working-class backgrounds with existing community experience to join the grant-making sector and bring about social change.
“Proud to be on the first Scottish cohort of 2027 Associates and love my placement with the National Lottery Community Fund.”
Eddie is the Funding Officer for Angus and loves helping communities by supporting them in running their projects. Working at the National Lottery Community Fund has taught him a huge amount about the grant-making sector.
Eileen Inglis
A Social Entrepreneur Support Manager at UnLtd, Eileen has 20 years of experience working with social entrepreneurs in Scotland. Eileen supports entrepreneurs to launch and grow a diverse range of social enterprises and projects for social change. She enjoys working with people from all walks of life and finds it easy to form open, trusting, and professional relationships. Her experience has given her a good understanding of social issues. She is interested in the solutions that people are adopting to address these. Eileen is particularly interested in community, loneliness and isolation, relationships, mental health, and food.
“I have run my own community food and walking events in Edinburgh where I live. Passionate about the power of networks and connections. I believe that everyone can achieve more than they think if they have access to the right people and support.”
Campbell Archibald
As a proud Dundonian, Campbell’s working life started as a gas turbine apprentice before moving to Aberdeen. Campbell enjoyed gaining further experiences, skills, training and responsibilities while climbing the ranks with several global businesses before starting Alba Power in 2000. From a standing start, Campbell said it was a joy to grow the business. He enjoyed developing the many clients and colleague relationships along the way. This gave him a huge wealth of experience and education.
“I’m keen to bring these many experiences to assist Dundee and the community, I hope I can assist The Circle Academy candidates and the many aspirations they strive for.”
The Pitch Fund
We’re taking online donations for the pitch fund and will be matching funding the final amount raised.
No matter how small the donation, it can make a big difference in someone’s business.
The Details
🎤 The Circle Academy Pitch Contest
🗓 Thursday 9th June
⏱ 3pm – 5pm
🔗 Book your FREE online ticket here