That's all folks!
The shortlisted businesses will find out on Monday if they’ve been picked to go on the Trade Mission to Atlanta. We’ll be announcing the chosen 10 on the Small Business Network. Thanks for following and you can keep up with the Trade Mission using the hashtag #gdntrademission.
Another pitch from earlier today. This is Max Wiseberg from HayMax Limited.
A total of 19 businesses pitched today.
Photographer Anna Gordon has been capturing all the action today. Here’s Emma Shipley presenting her business.
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There’s just five minutes left of the product showcase as the judges ask their final questions. The businesses have all been grilled by the judges on their turnover, potential to scale up and readiness to export.
Emma Shipley has brought her luxury scarfs, kaftans and hand-drawn designs. She says:
Nothing beats them [the judges] seeing the products in real-life. The US is completely next level - the luxury market is huge there.
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Emma Sinclair, one of the judges, was impressed by the breadth of products on show. She says:
It’s easy to forget how difficult it is to sell yourself and your brand in five minutes.
She emphasised how important charisma is for entrepreneurs, as business is about engaging with people.
Peter Wilkes from Vale Brothers Ltd says:
I’ve seen two judges so far, they asked me ‘am I ready for the US?’ And ‘why am I not there now?’ I’ve had some really good advice from them.
He also discussed the challenges of breaking into the States - especially getting people’s attention if you’re a smaller company. He said it can be difficult to get buyers to listen to you if you’re an SME.
Judge Denise Harris, assistant director at UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), says UKTI will get behind businesses starting to look into exporting:
Our focus is on helping companies with the right products or services. We have a whole raft of services we can offer to get them ready to export.
Product showcase
The judges are now talking to the businesses and taking a closer look at their products. We spoke to Joe Kinch, who has brought a range of his teas.
Everyone here really cares about their products, it’s an amazing opportunity. The tea market in the US is on the crest of a wave at the moment
We caught up with the judges before the small businesses showcase their products at 2pm.
Shaun McCabe, international director at ASOS.com, said he is interested to ask them:
- How capable they are of scaling up
- Practical and operational questions
- He also wants to find out which retailers the businesses think will be the best to work with
Lunch break
We’re about to break for lunch now. Just to sum up, the 19 shortlisted businesses have been pitching to a panel of judges this morning. This afternoon they’re going to be showcasing their products. Find out more about the Trade Mission.
Rounding off today’s five minute pitches, it’s Amanda Barlow of Spiezia Organics - its skincare products have market potential across the US including California, Boston and Arizona, says Barlow.
The time is right for us and we’re ready for the US
Barlow finishes her pitch by presenting each judge with a Spiezia goody bag.
#gdntrademission @GdnSmallBiz #organic #luxury #skincare #readyforUSA pic.twitter.com/cuUctq4V8O
— Spiezia Organics ltd (@Spiezia) January 15, 2015
Final pitch
Our judges have been listening intently to a variety of great pitches. They’re about the hear the last pitch of the day. It’s going to be a tough decision.
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Matt Johnson of Bare Conductive says 2015 will be a great year for his company. He explains the innovative concept behind its products.
We make tools that allow you to turn any object, space or surface into a sensor.
Wicked - that’s me. Wicked has been in business now for 15 years. Our products are designed and manufactured in the UK
So says Mark Holland from the manufacturer of boomerangs and flying toys. Hamley’s has been stocking its boomerangs since the company began
Alex Epstein, founder of Concoction and a former candidate on The Apprentice, has donned his lab coat (and Stars and Stripes shoes) to present his customised haircare brand.
“You shake it like a cocktail,” he explains. Flavours include black pepper, citrus and rosemary mint. The brand has been featured twice on US TV.
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Laurence Kembell-Cook, founder and CEO of Pavegen Systems, has been feeding off today’s nervous energy. He is now translating that to his pitch.
One of Pavegen’s flooring tiles provides enough energy to power Oxford street,says Kembell-Cook. The first patent to be granted was in the US.
Today's the day! CEO @LaurenceKC is preparing his presentation for the #gdntrademission @GdnSmallBiz - wish us luck! pic.twitter.com/kxmMC4iStb
— Pavegen Systems (@Pavegen) January 15, 2015
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“You have five minutes...”
And Plastic Castle begin their pitch presented by John Wood. The company produces a shock absorbing foam replacement component for sports and personal protective equipment.
Remember, you can learn more about the shortlisted businesses here.
Comestic a la Carte has been running since 1973. Lynne Sanders - who is now pitching - says the brand’s heritage is quality, authenticity and creativity - they count Grace Jones, Kate Moss and the late Princess Diana among their trail blazers.
#alacartelondon all set up and ready for #gdntrademission pic.twitter.com/7lqbrOJYGL
— Cosmetics à la Carte (@aLaCarteLondon) January 15, 2015
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Micheal Whiteside is demonstrating his high performance audio products from Studio Connections.
The US is the largest producer and consumer of music.
Joe Kinch:
There was a chance to launch a quintessentially British tea brand [...] it would be wicked to go and fly the flag for Great Britain.
The US tea market is set to grow from $1.6bn to $1.9bn over the next five years ,says Kinch.
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Now the judges have had a chance to reconvene, the lightening pitches continue. First up its Joe Kinch, the name behind Joe’s Tea Co.
The organic teas are sold in Harvey Nichols, Selfridges in Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants.
The final business before a short break: Antonia Burrell from Antonia Burrell Holistic Skincare.
We are using the power of plants, the chemistry of plants, to create really effective skincare that gives results in a very minimal time
Peter Wilkes:
We think there’s a huge opportunity in the States for this product
Next up it’s Vale Brothers Ltd, a manufacturer of equestrian products. The business was established in 1786 as a brush manufacturer. Peter Wilkes is pitching.
20 hopeful companies hungry for a place #gdntrademission pic.twitter.com/cDwn7EiYuz
— John Carroll (@RenaissanceLtd) January 15, 2015
Pitching next: Virginie Charles-Dear of toucanBox. The business is a children’s activity box subscription service.
How do we make learning for small children fun and hands on? We found the solution
“We’re really excited about what the Trade Mission could help us do,” says Cannon
Next to pitch: Sugru (multi-purpose foldable glue) and Katie Cannon.
Today we are serving 157 countries and have sold just shy of half a million packs
Here’s Emma Shipley before her pitch.
@GdnSmallBiz #gdntrademission ready for action! #nonerves at all! pic.twitter.com/V37HRyPLKW
— Spiezia Organics ltd (@Spiezia) January 15, 2015
Americans are the largest consumers of chocolates in the world. On average they consume 9kg per person, per year.
Not very much in my book, says Pattinson.
Now it’s time for Montezuma’s Chocolates and Helen Pattinson.
We founded Montezuma 15 years ago when [my husband and I] gave up our lives as lawyers living in London and took a year-long trip around South America.
We discovered the fascinating world of real cocoa.
Some impressive pitches so far. Let’s remind ourselves of the shortlisted businesses. And remember, you can also follow the action on Twitter with the hashtag #gdntrademission
Now it’s the turn of HayMax and Max Wiseberg. HayMax is a balm that traps airborne allergies, such as the pollen causing hay fever.
I was the kid at school who went in with two toilet rolls because one wouldn’t get be through because of my hayfever
Emma Shipley:
In the fashion and luxury market the press is really important.
Thanks, Emma.
Next up in the pitching room, it’s Emma J Shipley and her womenswear and accessories “luxury lifestyle brand”.
I have really enjoyed collaborating with other companies to work on products.
We have just started to dip into the USA as well.
Elsewhere in the building, businesses are setting up their product stands. The small business team is happily based near this chocolate firm ...
Our Co Founder Helen Pattinson is at @GdnSmallBiz here is her small but perfectly formed stand #gdntrademission pic.twitter.com/CTQRQOsSP5
— Montezumas (@montezumas) January 15, 2015
And the third business... CLINOVA Ltd., with Bruce Carlin pitching about O.R.S., a brand of oral rehydration salts.
We see loads and loads of opportunities for these types of products that haven’t really been marketed for in the past.
Recently, a male nurse that contracted Ebola drank 4 1/2 litres of rehydration salts a day, says Carlin, calling O.R.S. a “serious medical product.”
The second business pitching for a place on the Trade Mission is... Chris Pricketts of BLOCCS (rubber dipped products for the medical, veterinary and armed forces.) The product recently launched in Boots and Amazon.
We receive daily positive feedback from our customers.
Tim Rhodes:
We need to look at how we move our product around. And we are unlikely to find ourselves in a room full of industry professionals too many times, so we have plenty of questions for [the judges] later.
Lightening pitches start
The lightening pitches have begun! First up, it’s Tim Rhodes of Aquaforno Ltd (portable outdoor cooking stove and wood-fired pizza oven manufacturer), presenting to the panel of judges.
Why America? Why do we feel it’s a perfect destination? The US barbecue market is estimated at being one third of the world’s market.
Basically, Americans love camping.
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Just five minutes to go until the lightning pitches begin. Nervous anyone?
Today's the day! Presenting @GdnSmallBiz for the US Trade Mission 2015 #wishmeluck #GDNTRADEMISSION #excited
— Emma J Shipley (@emmajshipley) January 15, 2015
The day has finally arrived, excited! Wish us luck. #gdntrademission
— Montezumas (@montezumas) January 15, 2015
As the business owners get ready to pitch in 10 minutes (with a coffee, or is anyone tempted by something stronger...?), it may be slightly too late for these pitching tips. But here they are anyway.
The judging day begins
Welcome to our live blog. Today 19 businesses will be pitching to a panel of judges. The 10 firms who impress the most will join us on a trade mission to Atlanta.
The shortlisted businesses are busy preparing at the Guardian offices, and the judges have started to arrive. Who will be travelling stateside? You can see the full shortlist here.
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