On December 11th, The Hague Student Investment Fund (HSiF)hosted its annual Winter Edition startup pitch event, a platform for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas. The event welcomed an audience of 80 passionate entrepreneurs, investors, and like-minded individuals, creating a vibrant atmosphere of ambition and collaboration.
Participants, all in the early stages of their entrepreneurial journeys, faced the exhilarating challenge of presenting their ideas to a jury of seasoned professionals, including:
• Florina Daniela Ungureanu, Entrepreneurship Project Managerin The Hague,
• Timo Will, ex-HSiF Student Board Chairman,
• Arthur van de Graaf, Business Consultant and former entrepreneur,
• Noelle-Marie Baba, Early-stage investor, and
• Marlon Sahetapy, Investment and Business Development expert.
With monetary prizes up for grabs, the stakes were high. Start-ups not only had to deliver impactful pitches but also defend their ideas against the jury’s critical questions.
As the moment of truth arrived, we took the stage, sharing one last look of determination before diving into our pitch. Every second of preparation led us to this point. We were determined to deliver our message with clarity and conviction: revolutionizing the pet food industry by championing high quality and transparency.
To capture the audience’s attention, we began with the story of Lisa, Leon’s beloved dog who struggled with conventional pet food options. This narrative anchored our pitch, illustrating why change in the pet food market is overdue.
We confidently outlined our mission, solution, and execution plan within the allotted three minutes. Key questions from the jury followed, particularly about how we could ensure the quality and transparency we promised. We proudly highlighted our partnerships with nutritionists, high-quality producers, and dog breeders—all essential in upholding our core values.
The event showcased diverse and inspiring pitches from student start-ups across various industries. Watching others present their visions provided valuable insights into the art of storytelling and persuasion. One standout was a team that unveiled a prototype for a home-use milk foaming machine, demonstrating creativity and innovation in its purest form.
As the night progressed, anticipation built for the awards ceremony. Three prizes awaited:
• Seed Prize for the best early-stage idea,
• Growth Prize for startups already in operation, and
• First Fans Prize chosen by the audience.
When the Seed Prize was awarded to Tim & Leon, we were ecstatic! The jury commended us for the feasibility of our business model and the passion that fueled our pitch. It was a moment of validation for our hard work and a significant milestone for our journey.
The event concluded with a lively networking session over drinks and pizza. Conversations with the jury, visitors, and fellow entrepreneurs provided fresh insights and valuable feedback, sparking ideas for Tim & Leon’s next steps.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to HSiF for organizing this incredible event and for giving early-stage entrepreneurs like us a stage to shine. Until next time, HSiF!
1. Preparation is Key: Your story is as important as your data. Make it relatable.
2. Engage Your Audience: Combine facts with emotion to connect on multiple levels.
3. Learn From Peers: Observing others’ pitches can teach you new techniques.
4. Never Miss Networking: Post-event discussions can open unexpected doors.
If you’re a budding entrepreneur or investor, events like HSiF are an exceptional way to dive into the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
— Tim & Leon
