Alkmaar, 29 September 2020 – Airchip is named as the winner of Present Your Startup Alkmaar 2020. The event took place at the Theater De Vest in Alkmaar and was hosted by Isabella Prins from NH Nieuws and Mike Rijkers, Present Your Startup Leader. Entrepreneur Daniel van Drunen, founder of Airchip impressed the panel with a confident pitch and a solid business plan.
Daniel van Drunen said after winning: “Starting in a hotel room, just before the lockdown there were big dreams of launching our company. Now, the perspective has changed but winning this competition has taught us so much that we are confident we can look for a brighter future. For every other startup out there, a program like PYS really helps you understand what you are lacking to succeed”.
“I have been a jury member three times and I have seen incredible growth in the presentations and in the business models. I think all five of them are ready to get serious investments in these moments while 3 months ago I didn't really believe that. Today I'm convinced all of them will manage to get business from the program Present Your Startup”, said chair of the jury panel, Peter Vonk.
“I think it was amazing to see the progress of the participants, to see that they also despite the corona tension, they were able to get involved with investors and to get people interested in their propositions”, said Mike Rijkers PYS Project Leader. The startup wins an exclusive tower dinner at Heeren van Sonoy in Alkmaar. At Innovate Today, the winner will receive guidance for a value of €2500.
“The level of the pitches was very high and also the growth of the entrepreneurs was very good and all they had perseverance. They still were here even though the hard times during corona. And even though I miss the public, I really liked how the setup was”, said Valerie Vallenduuk, Founder of Present Your Startup.
Every Tuesday of September, each of the finalists presented their business on tv channel NH Nieuws, at the program “Pak en doen” with Isabella Prins. Today Isabella was also a host at the Finale, she said: "It is so difficult to start your own company, to have all the attention and let it grow so I think Present Your Startup is fantastic, a platform that can help, they hold your hand".
Present Your Startup will be announcing the Public Choice’s prize on October 6th. Everyone is invited to vote here for their favorite startup.
ABOUT THE FINALISTS
Airchip
This startup creates comfort in the crowd. They solve waiting for lines by rethinking the way people order and pay at events or venues. Until now, Airchip has seven members working full time and they believe that people shouldn’t waste time waiting. That’s how they created this app to top up your balance, order your products on the screen and pre-order for easy pick-up, or even get it delivered, right on the dancefloor.
Airchip is looking for funding of € 500k. After the semifinal, Mike Rijkers was in talks with a Venture Capital Fund about the amount this startup needs. That negotiation is now on the way.
Aleeza
This startup is the first Dutch online customized skincare brand based on 100% sustainable and unique ingredients that come from plantations in Marrakech and support women's cooperations. Aleeza is looking for funding of € 250k. Vision Ventures, who already has a lot of experience in cosmetics, would like to discuss further.
Pepperfield
This company is a young, fast, reliable, securely growing web hosting provider that takes a different approach to turbulent growth. Pepperfield increased its revenue 9x during the program through an acquisition with earn-out. Now, this company is looking for a funding of € 425K to finance 12 acquisitions and Gepitcht Kaasstad is in talks with 4 investors for the mentioned amount.
Circuvorm
Circuvorm develops and distributes interior products. So far, this startup has three circular project chairs and they are seeking funding for the Pluz-chair and the Rex-product series (chair & table). This startup seeks funding of € 350k. Co-founder Richard Westerhof added to the team. GP Groot Refuse processor to develop and market product and invest 50k in the new product line. Circuvorm has been invited to pitch for a Rabobank Innovation Loan of 150k.
DeMonth
DeMonth: “Your Period is Our Problem!”, stands for sustainability, convenience, and luxury for the hard-working women of the Netherlands. This startup seeks funding of € 100k. They were mentioned on the TV program Jinek. One of the co-founders, Gideon, said: “If they should have mentioned the name a little better”. They are talking now with marketing agency Born05 about 75k funding. And during the Finale, Peter Vonk, a member of the jury invited this startup to present their business at Kaasstad Kapitaal.
ABOUT PRESENT YOUR STARTUP
The foundation helps startups to grow by organizing accelerator programs and pitch competitions. Since 2014, over 1000 startups applied for the program, more than 525 startups participated in our programs and 30 million euros were collected in the first round with the help of our program. This year, after a packed Introduction Day with more than 30 startups, a selected number of companies experienced the benefits of the Academy. Afterward, the Semi-final took place at the NHNEXT set, which allowed people worldwide to watch it live stream. At the end of the program, the jury chose 5 finalists.
The next month, they got the chance to present their businesses on NH Nieuws every Tuesday of September, getting more presence in The Netherlands. Finally, Present Your Startup organized the last stage of the program, where the top 5 startups presented their business in front of the jury. The judging line-up included: Valerie Vallenduuk (PIM Noord-Holland), Ron van Bijsterveld (Creative Capital Partners), and Peter Vonk (Kaasstad Kapitaal).
The organization of this program has been possible thanks to our partners. We are proud to work together with Gemeente Alkmaar, Rabobank, Actan adviseurs & accountants, Sophista, Twine, IT = Alkmaar, Creative, Triple, Betty Blocks, Tape, Innovate Today, and Cyso Group.
If you could not watch the Finale, here is the video:
