GetFUNDED! Attract investment by communicating the impact of your science ideas

Whether you’re a researcher looking for inspiration on how to take your project to investment, an engineer or designer looking for funding, or an entrepreneur looking for a team to turn your idea into reality, GetFUNDED is a fantastic way to test your own abilities and meet great people along the way.

Over two days experience mentorship, comradeship, market validation, lean canvasing, customer discovery, pitching, and opportunity assessment tools that allow for deeper insights when marshalling an idea into shape or taking your project to the next level. Come away better prepared to communicate the impact of your science ideas for investment from industry or MBIE. Work with the very best mentors who are ready to help you get the most from your great ideas. Bring a science idea, and watch it soar!

Key learnings include:

Identifying a value proposition – how to assess an opportunity and narrow down on a core value proposition that meets an identified market need.
Preparing investment/funding case – how to construct an investment case that combines a realistic implementation plan with a strong value proposition for the investor.
Pitching to investors/funders – how to present a strong investment pitch to a diverse audience.

GetFUNDED puts attendees in an environment to run faster, think harder, apply rigour, and bake more into their ideas with the support of experienced mentors, coupled with a tried and true format, built to create results. Short talk, more action. Expert pitching support is provided by Daniel Batten and progress marshalling by professional mentors and CreativeHQ.

Registration fee $500 +GST

Christchurch
3rd & 4th November 2020
Centre for Entrepreneurship, Rehua Building, Level 6, University of Canterbury
Register for Christchurch

What happens at GetFUNDED!

Starting bright and early we kick things off with an icebreaker exercise, and then people pitch their research concepts to attendees. 5-10 concepts attract viable teams around them.

During the first evening, you sketch out your concept in some detail and everyone is assigned roles and has an inkling of how they're going to achieve their goals over the next 24 hours.

On the second morning, you start preparing your final 5-minute presentation, which your team pitches at the end of the day.

After that, prizes are awarded to the best teams. Where you go from there is up to you. The real value is in the skills, new friends, and access to resources you require.

GetFUNDED Format

Day One

0830 (30mins): Participants arrive – coffee, mingle, settle
0900 (30mins): Introductions, warm up + expectation setting
0930 (30mins): Pitch Fire – quick pitches of research projects
Each participant gets a short time to present their research idea for developing during workshop
1030 (60mins): COACHING (whole group)
• Value proposition
• Customer Discovery and Development
1130 (60mins): Team formation + role definition (with mentors)
1230 (30mins): LUNCH BREAK
1300 (30mins): COACHING (group)
Introduction to an “investable proposition”
1330 (120mins): Team work with mentors – market proposition, pitch intro
1530 (60mins): Breakout sessions
• The Investable Framework
• Science in market
1630 (45mins): Update teams
1715: Retrospective Mixer (casual)

Day Two

0830 (30mins): Participants arrive – coffee, mingle, re-settle teams
0900 (15mins): Introductions, recap, warm up + pitch briefing
0915 (45mins): Coaching Pitch(whole group)
With Daniel Batten
1000 (90mins): Teamwork with mentors
1130 (60mins): Breakout sessions
• Exponential frameworks
• MBIE as an Investor: Looking for Impacts
1230 (30mins): LUNCH BREAK
1300 (45mins): Pitch feedback one-on-ones
with Daniel Batten (5 mins each team)
1345 (105mins): Teamwork with mentors
Pitch practice, polish, proposition development
1530 (30mins): Conclude, and prepare
1600 (120mins): MAIN EVENT - Pitch Panel

Frequently Asked Questions:

What's different about GetFUNDED?
This event is focused on improving the fundable proposition behind your research-based ideas. Like a Start-up weekend, this event also offers a fast-paced, awesome and intense experience had by hundreds of motivated researchers, designers and engineers.

What is a research-based idea?
It is based on a defined body of research that you aim to be funded through an investor, industry or funding body like Callaghan Innovation, KiwiNet or MBIE.

Do I have to have an idea to pitch to join GetFUNDED?
No, you don't. You can come along and just join a team. Please do!

What about intellectual property - how is this protected?
You are given specific instructions on handling intellectual property early on the first morning of the event. Mentors are also on hand to discuss IP considerations. Note though, this is an open team environment, with attendees from multiple organisations. If you have any concerns, please speak to your organisation’s commercialisation managers prior to attending.

What happens after GetFUNDED?
There are so many possibilities! Firstly, you should memorise the names of your new best friends, and appreciate what you have created. Most of all you'll feel richer and smarter for the experience.