Finland Times

 

Press Release Image.

The third two-day annual multidisciplinary Midnight Pitch Fest begins at the Oulu City Theatre on June 11. 

 

Major investors, business houses, innovators and students will participate in the start-up festival which like previous years has emphasis on raising the profile of entrepreneurship and to help start-ups in various stages of operation, said a press release.

 

The event has generally been casual, highlighted with a rock-and-roll spirituality and the business content augmented with entertainment. The party on Thursday evening will be the crown for the previous year.

 

For startups, the event offers a wonderful opportunity to improve visibility, pitch their ideas to investors, as well as take advantage of the live matchmaking service to meet investors. In return, investors receive a one-table setting with access to a large group of businesses and business ideas. 

 

Like the previous year, attendees can participate in the PrintoCent Innofest contest which is focused on printed smart-materials and offers an excellent opportunity to network and to find potential partners or employees.

 

Startup enrolment is available until June 3 and many companies from several countries have already enrolled in various fields. 

 

The Midnight Pitch Fest Association's selection committee favours companies whose business model is based on increased scalability and the international market.

 

The Midnight Pitch Fest Association is a non-profit organization, which works closely with select partners and with the help of volunteers. 

 

This year, a significant contribution is being brought by the insurance company LähiTapiola, a package worth several thousand euros for the winning startup.

 

"The whole 2015 Midnight Pitch Fest is a great vantage point, from which to explore, experience and link new businesses, innovators and future businesses," says one of the main sponsors LähiTapiola North's business unit director Ilkka Herva.

 

There are other prizes per category, and the final winner of the pitch contest will this year win the exceptionally large sum of 10,000 euros. The amount was decided from the feedback and with consultation with previous startups, and with the understanding of critical early-stage financing needs.