Mercia Fund Management launches start-up competition for Life Sciences sector

Mercia Fund Management (MFM), one of the leading UK technology investors, has announced the launch of its quarterly start-up competition, The Pitch, with the chance for the winner to receive £3000. This quarter’s competition focuses on businesses within the Life Sciences sector.

Mercia is currently inviting applications from the life science sector, specifically biotechnology, medical devices and medical diagnostics. Companies applying must be no older than two years-old, and will not have received EIS or VCT funding previously.

The finalists will pitch in person to the investment team at Mercia’s Midlands-based offices in Warwickshire at 4pm on Monday 1st June.

This is the second quarterly start-up business competition to be held by Mercia this year, with the first one aimed at Electronics & Hardware. The quarterly competitions will have a rotating sector focus, based on Mercia’s four key investment areas: Life Sciences, Digital & E-commerce, Advanced Materials and Specialised Manufacturing, and Electronics & Hardware.

CEO Mark Payton said:

“We are delighted to be launching our second business plan competition, which will be focusing this quarter on start-ups in the Life Sciences sector.

“Mercia already has a wealth of expertise in this industry, particularly after the appointment of Peter Dines, founder of spinal and orthopaedic medical technology business Surgi C Group and distribution platform Newtech Ortho, this year.


“We look forward to being inspired by the pitches, and to further enhancing our links with start-ups and university spin-outs across the UK.”

To enter, please submit an executive summary or slide deck outlining your business proposition to alexh@merciafund.co.uk by 12pm on Sunday 17th May.

To read the competition poster in full, please click here.