The 2018 intake for the EG Tech Academy has opened and EG – along with our partners KPMG, CBRE, Legal & General Real Assets and Pi Labs – is looking for both pre- and post-revenue start-ups that can deliver innovative tech or data solutions for the built environment.
Whatever your idea, we are interested in seeing what you have to offer a rapidly evolving real estate sector.
This week we caught up with Dominic Wilson, co-founder of Pi Labs, which will take our two EG Tech Academy winners under its wing to guide them in their growth and development.
Listen in to find out what Wilson will be looking for as a judge at this year’s Academy and some top tips on what to pitch
EG: What are you most looking forward to about this year’s EG Tech Academy?
DW: From a Pi Labs perspective, we are looking to build on last year’s success as we increase the level of partner engagement with the addition of L&G and expand the Academy offering as we segment into pre-revenue and post-revenue categories to support innovation and ideation at the earliest stages.
EG: What do you think is the biggest/most exciting problem that needs solving through tech in the built environment?
DW: I don’t want to be prescriptive as we are looking for the best ideas, regardless of the discipline or subject area, but I would say construction-tech or the housing crisis are two areas with huge structural issues that tech has a role in alleviating.
EG: What should potential Academy finalists make absolutely sure they include in their entries?
DW: Clearly identify the problem, show how massive the problem is, show how your idea does/will solve said problem, show how you will make money.
EG: What type of tech solutions are you most excited to see pitched?
DW: I’m agnostic and open-minded. Amaze me.
EG: What can finalists expect from you if they make it through the EG Tech Academy?
DW: The winners will be a Pi Labs company with the full weight of our support, our investors, our network behind them. They will also get a lot of time with the team here to help shape and grow the business.
How to enter
To enter the EG Tech Academy 2018 click here or e-mail your submission to techtalk@egi.co.uk.
Submissions should include your business/idea, how it will be utilised in the built environment, evidence of the size and value of the market, and customer testimonials.
See below for full entry criteria. The closing date for entries is 5 October 2018.
Pre-revenue
For teams or companies that may be pre-product or in trials, but with no paying clients.
Please provide:
■ Details of your business and idea and how it will be utilised within the built environment.
■ Evidence of the market, including a detailed market-sizing report on the scale of the opportunity.
■ Customer validation.
■ Plans for founders to go full time soon and commit to the venture.
Post-revenue
For companies that have already generated some income through paid trials or subscriptions. Entrants in this category should have a full-time team, have a cumulative revenue of less than £250,000 and must not have received funding in excess of £250,000 (including investment, loans and grants).
Please provide:
■ Details of your business and how it is being utilised in the built environment.
■ A detailed market-sizing report, showing the scale of the opportunity.
■ Evidence of a strong grasp of your business’s financials, unit economics and business model.
■ Customer testimonials.
Click here to find out more about EG Tech Academy.
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