IRISHBICs Annual Report - Final - Flipbook - Page 19
Best Practice
Propelor’s The Big
Pitch
Propelor’s The Big Pitch has emerged as
the region’s most dynamic live startup
competition, showcasing innovation and
connecting founders with experienced
entrepreneurs, investors, and the wider
startup ecosystem.
by a four minute interrogation from a
judging panel. This mirrors real investor
meetings and forces founders to distil their
message with clarity and conviction.
The event also features “Little Pitchers,”
a lightning pitch segment highlighting
emerging founders and with the audience
voting to award a One to Watch prize.
Propelor has identified that entrepreneurs
needed a high visibility platform to test
their ideas, gain expert feedback, and
build confidence in front of investors.
The challenge was to create an event
that combined competition, peer
support from successful entrepreneurs,
and community engagement while
maintaining a high standard of
entrepreneurial excellence.
The Big Pitch has become a catalyst for
entrepreneurial visibility and investment
readiness in the region and nationally.
Finalists gain exposure, expert guidance,
and the opportunity to compete for a cash
prize. Beyond individual success stories, the
event strengthens the regional innovation
ecosystem by fostering connections between
founders, mentors, and investors.
Each year, three finalists are selected from
a competitive pool of applicants. These
founders are paired with experienced
entrepreneurs such as Patsy Carney,
founder of Eirgen Pharma, Louise Grubb,
CEO of Trivium Vet and Barry Downes,
CEO of Sure Valley Ventures, who guide
them through pitch refinement, strategic
positioning, and Q&A preparation. The
event format is intentionally concise and
demanding: a four minute pitch followed
Irish BICs Annual Report 2025
By combining mentorship, competition,
and community engagement, The Big
Pitch delivers a powerful developmental
experience that strengthens founders’
capabilities and amplifies the region’s
innovation pipeline. The Big Pitch is built
around a simple but powerful idea: founders
learn fastest from other founders. The
competition pairs finalists with experienced
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