The companies competing for the Best Elevator Pitch are: AI Labs, Airway Medical, Brijj, Cotham Technologies, Data³, Ferryx, Groundwaves, Kaedim, Radii Devices, Stratiphy and Yello Butterfly. The annual showcase will be hosted as a hybrid event for the first time in its seventeen-year history, enabling the pitching companies to connect with a wider national audience of influential investors, business leaders and potential partners. As well as live pitches taking place at Bristol enterprise hub Engine Shed, the event will be streamed enabling interactive demos and networking.

Previous winners of the coveted ‘Best Elevator Pitch’ award include KETS Quantum Security, world leaders in quantum cryptography hardware solutions, and LettUs Grow, a pioneering aeroponic technology provider for indoor and vertical farms.

Ferryx is one of this year’s pitching companies, a biotech spinout from the University of Bristol innovating in inflammatory disease treatments.

Jennifer Bailey, CEO of Ferryx said: "Tech-Xpo gives us a great opportunity to share our plans to improve the lives of millions of people suffering from gut inflammation and to network with people who may be able to join us on our journey".

Also competing for ‘Best Elevator Pitch’ is industrial AI democratisation scaleup, AI Labs, who are working with leading blue-chip companies such as GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems and Leonardo.

Kiran Krishnamurthy, CEO of AI Labs said: “AI Labs are really excited to be shortlisted for the Tech-Xpo pitching event as it provides an excellent platform for us to widely connect and communicate our business offering. The event gives an opportunity for us to attract both talent and customers and be part of this amazing AI enabled business transformation journey!”

Monika Radclyffe, SETsquared Bristol Centre Director, said: “We’re thrilled to bring our startup community together again with the wider tech ecosystem to celebrate incredible innovation and growth. This year’s event features talent from a diverse range of sectors, from createch to healthtech, each with disruptive technologies and the ambition to make an impact in the world.” 

Regional law firm VWV are the headline sponsor for the 11th successional year, with support sponsorship from Corrigan Accountants and QTEC. VWV and Corrigan Accountants are dedicated supporters of local tech innovation, each offering their pro-bono services to support SETsquared members. QTEC is the University of Bristol’s pre-incubator for innovators of quantum inspired technologies.

The winner of Tech-Xpo 2021 Best Elevator Pitch will be announced on 1 July. Watch the recording of last year’s Tech-Xpo and join the Twitter conversation using #TechXpo21.

If you are an investor interested in attending the event, please email bristol@setsquared.co.uk for an invite.