Picture this: Manchester's sweltering in a summer heatwave, and somehow we thought the best way to cool down was by standing in front of a panel of industry experts for the most nerve-wracking 3 minutes of our lives.
We'd been handpicked from hundreds of applications across the North West – sitting alongside some seriously impressive startups and scale-ups. The mission? Convince a room full of sceptical judges that BigByte isn't just another consultancy.
The Gauntlet
Here's what we were up against:
- 3 minutes to pitch everything that makes us different (spoiler: that's not long enough)
- 3 minutes of rapid-fire questions designed to expose any weaknesses
- A room full of experts who've heard every "we're revolutionising X" pitch imaginable
Six minutes to prove we're not just another bunch of consultants with flashy buzzwords.
Honestly? I was buzzing. Sure, it was terrifying, but this was our chance to show that we're not just another consultancy throwing around the same tired promises.
What We Actually Do Differently
Here's what I hammered home in those precious few minutes:
We don't do 18-month contracts. While other consultancies lock clients into year-long commitments, we work in short sprints. Client not happy after 6 weeks? No problem, part ways with minimal pain.
We ship fast. Really fast. We're talking weeks, not quarters. Our clients see tangible results before their patience (and budgets) run out.
We actually care about outcomes. Controversial, I know. But we've seen too many projects that tick all the boxes on paper but deliver nothing useful in practice.
"This is exactly what the industry needs" – actual feedback from a judge.
The Best Person Certainly Won
We didn't emerge victorious on this occasion, however we were delighted to see that Amy and the fantastic Collctiv were crowned the winners of the regional heat, and went on to win the UK Final in London!.
We're both part of the Manchester Growth Hub ASCEND programme (partnered with KPMG and Brewin Dolphin). Amy, Collctiv's founder, is an absolutely incredible and seasoned entrepreneur on a mission. Amy and Collctiv have gone from strength to strength, and this recognition couldn't be better placed.
Congratulations Amy and Collctiv! Well deserved 🎉🎉🎉
Our Win
Here's what we actually got out of this (and why it was worth the nervous sweats):
Validation. When industry veterans nod along to your pitch instead of checking their phones, you know you're on to something.
We met some cracking companies. The North West startup scene is absolutely buzzing right now. The energy in that room was infectious.
Sharpened our story. Nothing quite forces you to clarify your value proposition like having 3 minutes to explain why you exist.
Made proper connections with some incredible people building super interesting things.
Massive thanks to KPMG for putting this together. Events like this are exactly what the region needs – more platforms for innovators to show what they're capable of 🚀
Innovation That Gets Recognised
Being selected for KPMG Tech Innovator wasn't just about our pitch – it was recognition of our unique approach to rapid software delivery. We're the team that turns complex challenges into simple, scalable solutions using cutting-edge AI tools and battle-tested development practices.
While other companies are still figuring out their AI strategy, we're already delivering AI-enhanced solutions that work in the real world. Our innovation isn't just theoretical – it's practical, proven, and ready to transform your next project.
Ready to work with recognised innovators?
