Sponsored by 
The Midas Touch
'Pitch and pay' takes on a whole new meaning at Business Startup events.
Would your business benefit from a substantial financial input? What if that investment also came with a guarantee of ongoing support from a successful and dynamic entrepreneur?
If you've got a flawless business plan and only need the money to make it happen, then pitching to a panel of millionaire entrepreneurs at the Midas Touch might be the best way to spend your afternoon. On both days of the exhibition, visitors are welcome to take part as pitchers and viewers in this edge-of-the-seat live show. It's so much better than on the television. Come and watch as aspiring entrepreneurs barter ideas for equity in this emotionally-charged and often jaw-dropping event. Many have come with a plan and left with a business: could you be one of the lucky ones?
Since its creation, The Midas Touch has grown to become a staple of the show, with an estimated £1,200,000 already invested by our panel. Past panellists have included Peter Jones, Rachel Elnaugh, Brad Rosser, Jonathan Jay, Steve Bolton, Gill Fielding, and many more.
There are 24 pitch positions available over each two-day event. Register your interest now. Then send us an single-side A4 document outlining your business, or business idea, and how much cash you'd like to pitch for.
We'll let you know in the run-up to the event if you've been successful and when your pitch will be. Then you'll need to prepare yourself. You will have five minutes to convince the panel, so make sure you practice your proposition. You can use props and handouts - but make sure they work as hard as you do!
But what makes the Midas Touch so popular? We asked 2009 winner, Amanda Jones of Red Button Design, to shed some light.
What does winning the Midas Touch mean for Red Button Design?
Red Button Design is one of a cluster of exciting, emerging businesses looking to drive real social change in a manner that is ethical, sustainable and profitable for all involved. To have that recognised and to be held up as a good example of for-profit social enterprise is a fantastic boost.
Should we now go on to close one of the funding deals offered as a result of the Midas Touch it will also have greatly accelerated our progress to market, but its demonstrable effect depends somewhat on what happens in post-pitch discussions, so watch this space!
Was the experience how you thought it would be?
What can I say? It was a busy, noisy and unforgiving environment in which to pitch a complex business concept, in very little time, to people who potentially had the power to facilitate or condemn the venture! I was expecting nerve-wracking, and I got what I signed up for!
Would you recommend other fledgling entrepreneurs take part?
Absolutely, there's no denying that an experience like the Midas Touch can seem daunting, particularly to someone just starting out in business, but it is a very telling thing to be willing to stand and present (and if necessary defend!) a concept you really believe in. The worst that can happen is the panel disagree with you, and when it comes down to it there's a lot to be gained in exploring the areas in which your business needs to improve in order to become successful.