Google ‘start-ups’

Internet search engine, Google, is looking for tech start-ups who ‘think big’ and has kicked off a competition to help find them. Once the winning 10 have been found, they will have access to bespoke support, including insights from experienced mentors and investors.

Applicants, who could come from anywhere in the UK, have until July 29 to put themselves forward and the lucky 10 will join a residential programme at Google’s space for start-ups Campus, in London on August 22.

The sessions for applicants are being held in Newcastle, London, Cambridge and Edinburgh and will offer 30-minute one-to-one meetings, where they can tackle topics such as analytics and user onboarding with specialists in technology, marketing, sales and data.

As a spokeswoman for Google said, great ideas can come from anywhere and there is incredible entrepreneurial talent across the UK. She added that pooling this talent and combining it with the knowledge and expertise of Google’s international community of entrepreneurs puts Campus London in a unique position to help propel the best start-ups to a global scale.

Previous graduates of the Campus Exchange programme, as it is known, have gone on to secure funding from some of the top business angels and venture capital investors in London and to be nominated for the Google Play Awards.

Meanwhile, in separate news for those in the North West, there will be a business event in Leeds on July 14 when the bosses at some of the UK’s most successful start-ups will reveal the secrets of their success.

The showcase will feature inspiration speakers, show a live pitching competition and offer a range of case study-led seminars focusing on issues such as crowdfunding, pitching, intellectual property (IP) and growth finance.