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Helen Driver’s pitch on behalf of her early-stage Ipswich-based company Moneyready impressed the judges in the Angel’s Den, part of the two-day virtual RESTART Festival, landing her the top prize.

Not only will she receive invaluable financial and legal support, she will get a fast-tracked place on the prestigious business development initiative, Invest East’s Investment Readiness Programme.

Led by head judge Sally Goodsell from Anglia Capital Group, the panel watched the lightening pitches and then took turns to grill each business on their business plan and idea. Angel’s Den was sponsored by Mills & Reeve and Farnell Clarke.

Commenting on her success, Helen said: “Moneyready is delighted to be the winner of the RESTART Angel’s Den. The pandemic has been challenging as a start-up, and brought the benefits of high quality, online education to the fore. It’s terrific that the talents of the Suffolk-based team behind Moneyready have been recognised, and I am very grateful for the support to ensure more young people face their financial futures with confidence. Thank you”.

RESTART was held on 29 and 30 September by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and Norfolk Enterprise Festival, offering peer to peer support, practical advice and skills sharing opportunities to entrepreneurs across Norfolk and Suffolk. The event proved popular, attracting around 4,500 views each day.

Moneyready had stiff competition from three other brilliant local businesses. Norwich-based Goodery, is an online grocery marketplace which connects local farmers, ethical businesses and conscious consumers. Fusion Broadband from Suffolk provides secure networking solutions for business across the UK, while Housecheckr, is based in Norwich and offers property survey solutions.

James Hunter from legal firm Mills & Reeve said: “We were so pleased that Norfolk Enterprise Festival and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership were able to run the RESTART Festival successfully in such challenging times; providing support and information and showcasing great innovation and businesses across the region.

“Our place at the heart of the Norfolk and Suffolk business community is incredibly important to us and supporting businesses that are at the start of their journey is always exciting. So, we are delighted that we will be working with this year’s Angel’s Den winner, Moneyready.

“As a firm we are being recognised nationally for innovation – most recently as ‘stand out firm’ in the FT Innovation Lawyers Report and winners in three categories at the Legal Week – Legal Innovation Awards 2020. This is not just for big ideas and Eureka moments but any new ideas which help solve businesses’ problems. This is a terrific initiative, and we are delighted to be involved.”

Will Farnell from accountancy firm Farnell Clarke added: “We were delighted that Farnell Clarke could support the RESTART Festival this year. We were really impressed with the quality of the pitches from the Angels Dens finalists and we very much look forward to working with Helen and supporting her on the next stage of her business journey. The quality of the event highlights the huge entrepreneurial talent we have in our region.”

New Anglia LEP runs the New Anglia Capital initiative which helps early-stage and high-growth businesses pitch to experienced angel investors and provides match funding for successful projects. This co-investment fund is backed by £4m from the LEP in partnership with Anglia Capital Group, and the scheme aims to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth across Norfolk and Suffolk.

You can watch the Angel’s Den and other sessions from the event by downloading the Restart Festival App, powered by Norwich based-tech company SupaPass, or via www.newanglia.co.uk/restart-festival

To find out more about New Anglia Capital, go to https://newanglia.co.uk/grant/new-anglia-capital/