AVG announces lead sponsorship for The Pitch

AVG Technologies N.V., the provider of internet and mobile security to 172 million active users, has announced that it is the headline sponsor of The Pitch 2014.

Now in its seventh year, The Pitch, organised by Sift Media's BusinessZone.co.uk and UK Business Forums, is one of the UK's longest-running small business competitions, awarding thousands of pounds worth of prizes to innovative startups.

Hundreds of business entrepreneurs from up and down the country are expected to submit their businesses and ideas for assessment by a panel of judges in order to win an exclusive package of prizes and business support.

"AVG's philosophy is all about empowering small businesses to manage their technology simply and reliably so they can stop worrying about their data and concentrate on growth in today's fast changing, increasingly mobile workplace", said Mike Foreman, General Manager, SMB at AVG Technologies.

"The Pitch is Britain's top competition for emerging entrepreneurs and is an opportunity to show our passionate belief that a well-connected business is an essential ingredient for success today".

"This partnership gives us a superb opportunity to connect directly with many thousands of business start-ups and entrepreneurs", he continued. "I am looking forward to meeting in person some of the top British talent behind the big brands of tomorrow".

Successful applicants will be picked to pitch their ideas at two regional Boot Camp events to be held in September. These entries will be further narrowed down to thirty who will compete in a live final in October.

Previous winners include Bio Bean, developers of a bio-fuel made from coffee beans, AdvanceToGo, a website that helps private landlords manage property and find tenants, and Cyclehoop, an ingenious solution to bike theft.