Parmee Prize Competition: Testimonials
On this page, we will publish short interviews with some past participants and winners of the Parmee Prize Competition, who have kindly agreed to talk about their experiences and share their best entrepreneurial advice!
Kushagra Jain (2021) - BrailleWear (2022)
How did entering the Parmee Prize help you?
The Parmee Prize competition has definitely been a highlight of my time in Cambridge. Winning the competition helped provide some initial working capital that allowed me to progress my startup further.
How has your business idea developed since?
Since taking part I have been very fortunate to receive significant guidance from Mr. Parmee himself and others within the Cambridge community. Also, the competition helped expose me to an incredibly warm and accomplished angel investor. With the help of our investor the startup is well on track to finishing development of a market-ready product and making an impact in the lives of the visually impaired community.
Ruizhi Wang (2014) - HexagonFab (2018 Competition)
Why did you apply for the Parmee prize?
The Parmee prize is an amazing opportunity to get some advice and support as an early stage start-up founder
Tell us a little about your experience applying for and participating in the Parmee Prize competition.
The application process was very straightforward. The organisation was very professional and being able to see the other presentations was great.
How did the Parmee prize competition change things for you?
It set us off to an extremely exciting journey that is still ongoing two years later!
What is the one piece of advice you would give to this years’ applicants?
The most important part of the presentation is the value proposition: What problem are you solving and who is the customer? Also, the feedback from the judges is extremely valuable, even if it might sound negative.
Tsong Kwong (2007) - Medivention (2012 Competition)
Why did you apply for the Parmee prize?
My main reason for applying was that it's a comfortable close knit event where you can get some very good and honest feedback on your business idea from seasoned investors and commercially minded people.
Tell us a little about your experience applying for and participating in the Parmee Prize competition
At the time I applied I was in surgical training down in Brighton so remember racing up to Cambridge in time for the competition. You deliver a pitch with a presentation and answer some questions on the concept. I didn't win but got an honorable mention. For me I think it was the 1st time I had done a pitch. Because I had some friends at the time doing PhD's and hadn't seen them in a while, it was lovely to catch up with them too.
How did the Parmee prize competition change things for you?
Although the idea I pitched for the Parmee prize didn't work out, I stayed in touch with Richard Parmee. I went on to develop another medical technology product for untreated hearing loss, and Richard helped me raise private seed money last year with other Cambridge Angels .
What is the one piece of advice you would give to this years’ applicants?
Don't worry if you don't make it with your initial pitching concept, things can and will change!