Ignite has today announced the launch of a regional roadshow that will take place in Oxford on 20 April 2015. The roadshow is looking for people with a bright business idea that uses energy to make a difference to people’s lives. The ideas will be pitched to a panel of experts with successful applicants receiving a package of pre-investment support that could potentially lead to an investment of up to £2 million.

The Ignite roadshow is open to anyone with a bright business idea that uses energy, meets the requirement of making a difference to people’s lives and needs help in getting the idea investment ready. The idea will eventually be looking for an investment of between £50,000 and £2 million by the end of 2015.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their idea to a panel of industry and social enterprise experts at the roadshow in Oxford on 20 April. The most successful pitches will win a package of pre-investment support to get their business ready to pitch for investment from the Ignite Investment Committee by the end of 2015.

The first regional Ignite roadshow in Oxford is being held in partnership with Saïd Business School (part of Oxford University), the Low Carbon Hub, Oxfordshire Business Support and Oxfordshire Social Entrepreneurship Partnership.

The application process is open now and the final deadline for entrepreneurs to submit their ideas is 27 March 2015. For more information and to apply, please visit: ignitesocialenterprise.com/challenge

Ignite is the UK’s first impact investment fund with a focus on energy. Together with backing from Centrica PLC (the UK’s largest energy supplier), Ignite will provide funding of £10 million over the next ten years through investments in the UK of between £50,000 and £2 million.

Sarwjit Sambhi, Managing Director of Centrica Energy Exploration & Production and member of the Ignite Investment Committee, said:
"The best ideas are often the ones that start small. Energy is relevant to each and every one of us and Centrica is delighted to be able to support Ignite on the Oxford roadshow.

"Ignite works to help entrepreneurs with the vital role they play in building a better society. We encourage anybody who has a bright energy idea and who wants to make a positive difference to apply. I am personally looking forward to meeting many of these entrepreneurs in 2015."

Zelga Anderson, Skoll & Entrepreneurship Head of Operations at Saïd Business School, said:
"We are delighted to support the roadshow as it gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to take their idea forward and have a positive impact on society. We at the Skoll and Entrepreneurship Centres at Saïd Business School are keen to showcase such bright talent, and to nurture where we can tomorrow’s change makers."

Anne Augustine, Director of Innovation for the Low Carbon Hub, said:
"There is significant expertise and enthusiasm across the region for enterprises that have a clear social purpose; as well as greater collaboration across universities, local authorities, businesses and communities. All ideas need help to get started and by working with Ignite, we will be able match valuable resources to ideas that have the potential for positive social and environmental impact on the region."