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Wednesday 26 March 2014

How Competitions & Awards Helped FlatClub

Recently we were honored to have written a guest blog on Startups.co.uk, profiling how competitions & award placements have helped us grow.

Read on to find out how these can help your business improve & evolve as well! If you're interested in winning some competitions yourself, take a look at our 2014 European/UK Startup Competition Guide and start applying. We've also got some top tips on how to win.

Reblogged from startups.co.uk for your convenience:

The importance of reputation for start-ups
Securing this funding round required achieving outstanding business results and getting buy-in from investors.

As entrepreneurs, sales is one of the most challenging tasks and the most important skill to hone. We need to sell to customers, suppliers, partners, investors and team members.

I believe that a successful sale, especially in the early days, requires two ingredients: network and reputation.

While a network can be built through contacts, friends, business experience, and university background, reputation is sometimes tricky to build for a new business with a limited track record.
How to build a fantastic start-up reputation

As mentioned, reputation is built with track record, but you need a good reputation to gain some traction. So, how can a start-up solve this catch 22? No track record, hence no reputation, hence harder to sell and build a track record.

The most obvious tool is to leverage the entrepreneur’s personal reputation, and another great tool is by getting media coverage, social proof and of course, winning start-up competitions.
How do start-up competitions help build reputation?

From a personal point of view, I feel that winning start-up competitions can really help build a brand’s status – it certainly really helped us to build FlatClub’s reputation. Being listed in the highly prestigious Startups 100 meant not only media coverage, exposure, and traffic to the site but it also offered an external validation which ultimately helped me secure a strategic partnership, and finalise the funding for FlatClub.

After applying to almost 30 competitions, I realised that there is zero risk in applying.

When I wasn’t selected as finalist, no one cared.

And when I was selected it was a reason to celebrate.

Hence, I started to look at applying to start-up competitions in a more structured way and have prepared some tips on the best way to tackle applications – and how to ensure you present your business in the best way possible.

How to win start-up competitions
1. Research
Well, the first step is to find them. I am glad to share with you the most updated version of theUK start-up competition guide my team and I built, which includes the largest database of start-up competitions, with over 60 and growing.

It’s free to use and is a great starting point for finding out about the best opportunities to promote your business.

You can’t win a competition if you don’t apply so it’s worth having at least one of your team members scouting relevant websites/publications for free or low-cost PR opportunities.

2. Meet the criteria
Some competitions are only available to early stage/late stage ventures, to social entrepreneurs, or they’re sector specific. In our competition index we’ve created an option to filter the list to your specifications. There’s no point wasting time on an application that can’t even be considered.

3. Prepare and refine your pitch
It’s probably worth spending a good few hours on the first application. The rest will be similar, so if you prepare one good pitch – you can just change it slightly and use the core pitch over and over again. This should be based on your one-page business plan.

4. Apply on time
Finally, it’s easy to miss a deadline – but don’t. Make a note in your calendar of key dates you don’t want to miss and be disciplined about sticking to them. Although filling in an application can seem like precious time you can’t spare the benefits of a win will definitely make the time worthwhile – and if you don’t win, you’ll have a good basis for entering other competitions more swiftly.

Winning start-up competitions is of course just one step in building a business. Without solid growth, clear differentiators, talent, a motivated team, and an outstanding marketing plan, it’s not possible to succeed and raise funding.

However, external endorsement not only offers a great boost for your team but it really can be the tipping edge for you and your business, just as it has been for FlatClub.

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Host Question Time With Girish



This time on Host Question Time, Girish, a full time host on FlatClub, sat down to tell us a little bit about his story.

How did you get started as a host? 

Well, I was working as a consultant, traveling frequently and staying in a lot of hotels. I personally enjoy traveling a lot. Traveling for leisure is the best, but I even enjoyed traveling for work. I did not however enjoy spending a lot of time in hotels, I really don't feel like it's the best way to spend time in a great city.

So your idea was to provide an alternative for traveling consultants? 

Exactly, consultants or any other type of business travellers, or any type of visitor really. I saw an opportunity to provide a different type of experience for people. It's been great. The fun side of full time hosting is meeting a variety of people.

I try to personally greet everyone who stays in my flats to make sure they're comfortable and doing well.

How has your lifestyle changed from working as a consultant to hosting? 

In terms of hours sometimes it feels like not too much! Haha, but for me, it is a much more interesting activity. You meet a lot of people and each guests stay, whether good or bad, is never the same. 

Any standout stories? 

Well, I helped a man sneak flowers into the flat for his girlfriend once! What happened was the flower delivery guy came at the wrong time. The girl had already returned. So, the guest called me for help and under the guise of "maintenance issues", I, and the flower delivery man snuck into the kitchen while he occupied her in the living room. It was good fun.

Thanks Girish! 

No problem. An visitors coming to London should have a look at: 



They are 2 of my favourites! 

Friday 21 March 2014

How 'Get Offers' on FlatClub Works For Different Travelers


With our new 'Get Offers' feature, our amazing hosts will work with you to find your perfect place. That is whether you’re travelling for business, an internship, family, school, or just for the joy of travelling itself!

Business
If you’re off on a special project or some other business-related travel, you’ll have specific requirements. For instance, it may be important to you that the area you’re staying in be near your office, or that it is far enough away you can relax after work! You’ll also have a specific budget to fit, and will want to take some of the stress out of arranging your accommodation. There is no better way than to let our hosts make offers for you.

Internship
Interns have similar needs to business travelers, but often have a smaller budget. You’ll want to be near your workplace but not necessarily at the cost those areas often require. Interns may also wish to be more in the city center, as one of the benefits of interning is getting to experience life in another city.

Family
Families have different desires to single or groups of adults. Safety and convenience are often paramount compared to nightlife and proximity to a specific location. Our most family friendly hosts can find you easily.

Students/School Travel
We understand that most students don’t have the largest budget for accommodation, and our hosts are happy to cater to those needs. We have some properties that are specifically meant for students, so you’ll be in an environment with people your age and your educational background, in a part of town that has interesting things to do & see. There are many options for students, ranging from neighborhoods with lots of nightlife, to quiet suburban places perfect for studying and relaxing after class. Our hosts will make offers & tell you more.

Travelling for Leisure
When you’re travelling for fun or to explore the world, certainly you have something in mind for your accommodation. Maybe that just means you know you want an en-suite, or you could get more specific - like you want to be walking distance to city landmarks. Whatever your needs are, write them down in your accommodation request and our hosts will see!

Not only can we help you to find a place that you'll love, we've also written Relocation Guides for 10 cities across the world! Write to us on @flatclubcom on Twitter if we've helped you - if not, let us know how we could help you more!

Saturday 15 March 2014

3 Startup Competitions Ending Soon

Our 2014 Startup Competition Guide has really taken off thanks to some great submissions from our community. There are a few competitions that are ending soon, so make sure to get your entries in early for the following 3.

Venture Cup Startup CompetitionThere must be at least one student, staff or graduate from any Danish University on your team, but if you meet that criteria your business plan may net you £28k! Submit soon, as the deadline is April 29th.

My Country Business
Are you a country-based entrepreneur? Enter the My Country Business competition through the online application form, and win some one of a kind advice & experiences! Get your form drafted soon though, as the deadline is May 9th.

London Grand Challenge
If you think you have the answer to the question: "How can we use technology to address the world's greatest financial challenges and impact the lives of millions in just three to five years?", then you've got to enter the London Grand Challenge! The prize is a a full scholarship placement at Singularity University's Graduate Studies Program, this summer in Silicon Valley. Read more for details, but get your application in before April 4th.

Three competitions coming to a close soon, but there are plenty more where that came from. Glance through our interactive 2014 Competition Guide, and let us know about any contests we might've missed!

Friday 7 March 2014

The UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide - 3rd Edition - Interactive for 2014!

UPDATED: View The 2015 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide

The Links Here May be Out of Date! 

Our 3rd edition of The UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide is out! It is the biggest and most comprehensive database of UK & Europe Startup competitions around. In it you will find the competition criteria, awards, deadlines and a direct link to apply. Browse, choose and submit your application.

There are over 50 initial opportunities to compete and more on the way. This year the guide has a great new format and it is fully interactive. Submit competitions to the database, play with the data and help us make it easier than ever for young startups to find every competition opportunity on the map.

Competitions have helped FlatClub along the way and we believe there is huge value for young teams to put themselves to the test. Our goal with the guide is to database every opportunity for UK & Europe startups to compete for awards, investment and attention.

View The 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide

5 Great Ways to Get Involved

1. Add any competition, Add your competition!

Know about a competition for startups this year? Hosting a competition? Put it on the list and let the world know about it. Click here to add a competition.

2. Get creative with the data

We are hosting the database on Google Fusion Tables which lets you visualize the data set any way you'd like. Create graphs, charts and comparisons by clicking on the "+" tab on the top right. If you come up with a unique angle - email us! We'll make it a standard tab.

3. Sync to the 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Calendar

Interested in staying on top of when each competition is happening? Sync to our EU/UK Startup Competition Calendar. We'll keep the deadlines up to date!
Click here to view the public calendar
Click here to download the calendar

4. Get tips on pitching by booking office hours with Nitzan, CEO FlatClub

FlatClub has competed in and won a fair share of startup competitions including TechCrunch's 1-sentence pitching competition, the JC Entrepreneurship Award and the AMBA Entrepreneurial Venture award. Check out Nitzan's advice on how to win startup competitions. Book office hours here.

5. Help spread the word

With your help we can build a definitive, exhaustive competition database for the startup community. Here's the short link - http://flt.cl/CompetitionGuide - Tweet, Post to Facebook & LinkedIn and let your startup networks know.

View The 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide

Guide Highlights

Here are some fun highlighted data from the competitions we've captured so far. You can make your own graphs and submit them to FlatClub!

What Type Of Competition? 

 

Feeling Lazy?

If you just want to take a quick glance, all the competitions we have captured so far are below ranked by deadline or click here to see the full guide.

Competition Name: Global Webit StartUp Challenge
Target/Criteria: Start-ups helping the video industry move forward
Application: N/A
Deadline: February 15th
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: Pitch Marathon
Target/Criteria: UK resident, above 18 years old, new business idea
Application: N/A
Deadline: February 15th
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition
Target/Criteria: Businesses in Cloud Services, Financial, Mobile, Digital/Video, E-Health, Social Networks, Internet and Mobile Applications and E-Learning. Open to International Entrants
Application: Online registration
Deadline: February 23rd
Prize Category: Equity funding

Competition Name: Tech All Stars
Target/Criteria: Aged 16 - 30, based in UK, business less than 1 year old
Application: N/A
Deadline: February 28th
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: Young Foundation Accerlerator
Target/Criteria: Businesses prioritise positive social impact, product / service tested beyond concept stage, potential to scale
Application: Online application form
Deadline: February 28th
Prize Category: Mixed

Competition Name: Innotech Summit
Target/Criteria: European-based companies in the market for K-12 education, B2B or B2C internet-related software services offered to schools, teachers, parents or children/students.
Application: Online Application
Deadline: March 1st
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: InnoPitch
Target/Criteria: N/A
Application: Online application form
Deadline: March 3rd
Prize Category: Cash

Click Here to View The 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide

Competition Name: UM14 Social Enterprise Competition
Target/Criteria: Winners of MSc Technology Entrepreneurship Programme and London Entrepreneurs' Challenge
Application: Online application form
Deadline: March 10th
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: European Student Startups
Target/Criteria: Innovative products, smart technolgies and interactive web&mobile applications in a variety
of areas
Application: Submission of abstracts - Various rounds each with pitches and deadlines
Deadline: March 15th
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: Lloyds TSB Enterprise Awards
Target/Criteria: At least 1 Cambridge student on the team
Application: Business plan and Prototype
Deadline: March 17th
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: InnoApps
Target/Criteria: European startup, less than 2 years old, product/demo to show
Application: Online application form through f6s
Deadline: March 20th
Prize Category: Mixed

Competition Name: PEA Awards
Target/Criteria: At least 1 MIT student on the team
Application: N/A
Deadline: March 22nd
Prize Category: Cash

Competition: NEXT Berlin - Startup Pitch 
Target/Criteria: Business idea related to Big Data, Internet of Things, The New Money, Industrial Internet, Mobility or New Interfaces
Application: Online Application Form
Deadline: March 26th
Price Category: Mix

Competition Name: European Business Plan of the Year
Target/Criteria: EMEA Startup, established less than 4 years ago
Application: Online application form
Deadline: April ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits


Competition Name: Le Web - London
Target/Criteria: At least 1 student, staff or graduate from any Danish University
Application: Business plan
Deadline: April ~ TBA
Prize Category: Mixed

Competition Name: Nacue Varsity Pitch
Target/Criteria: Seeking Seed / Venture Investment
Application: Business Plan, Finalist pitch
Deadline: April ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Click Here to View The 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide


Competition Name: Prince Abdulaziz International Prize for Entrepreneurship
Target/Criteria: Less than 10 years old, less than £1MM ternover, willing to relocate to London
Application: N/A
Deadline: April ~ TBA
Prize Category: Equity funding

Competition Name: UCL Bright Ideas Awards
Target/Criteria: N/A
Application: 3 minute pitch to a panel of Startup Stars
Deadline: April ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: BBVA Open Talent
Target/Criteria: Technology based innovative projects
Application: Submit video pitch online or presentation
Deadline: May ~ TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: Cisco British Innovation Gateway
Target/Criteria: Current graduate student created, managed and owned ventures
Application: 3 page executive summary and 30 page business plan
Deadline: May ~ TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: European Pirate Summit
Target/Criteria: Under 36, EU resident, company less than 18 months old or intrapreneur/student with demonstratable real idea
Application: 3 minute video pitch, 10 minute pitch
Deadline: May ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: Intel Business Challenge
Target/Criteria: Tech startups registered in EU, less than 3 years old, less than €3MM external funding
Application: Online application form through f6s
Deadline: May ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Click Here to View The 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide

Competition Name: Market E-Test
Target/Criteria: UK resident and older than 16 years old, UK based business less than 3 years old or a viable business idea
Application: N/A
Deadline: May ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: Sanoma Startup Challenge 2014
Target/Criteria: Various criteria
Application: Online application form sent by email or by post
Deadline: May ~ TBA
Prize Category: Mixed

Competition Name: Shell LiveWire Enterpreneur of the Year Award
Target/Criteria: Idea benefiting Richmond borough
Application: Online application form and 500 word business plan , Finalist pitch
Deadline: May ~ TBA
Prize Category: Mixed

Competition Name: USSP Catalyst Centre
Target/Criteria: applicants of all ages who have a great science or technology business idea
Application: N/A
Deadline: 31/05/2014, May 31stPrize Category:  free expert mentoring, support and accommodation for six months, as well as £1,000 towards business expenses and access to further funding
Notes: Applicants must be able to base themselves in Southampton and hold the relevant documentation to work in the UK.

Competition Name: Venture Cup Startup Competition
Target/Criteria: Individuals or early stage science and/or technology based companies
Application: Online application, email for more information
Deadline: May ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: House to Home
Target/Criteria: European startup
Application: N/A
Deadline: May 5th
Prize Category: Cash

Click Here to View The 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide

Competition Name: European Venture Summit
Target/Criteria: Received less than €1.5MM in Investment, address consumer or business users, Launch at Le Web
Application: Online application form
Deadline: June 9th
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: BizCamp Tel Aviv
Target/Criteria: UK registered tech startup
Application: Online application form plus short video
Deadline: July 8th
Prize category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: Conservative Party Startup
Target/Criteria: Minimum prototype
Application: Online application form through f6s
Deadline: July ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: MIPCube Lab
Target/Criteria: UK registered organisation, companies and UK residents aged 18 years or older
Application: Online application form
Deadline: July ~ TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: Shell LiveWire Grand Ideas Award
Target/Criteria: Local businness that can improve the community
Application: Online application form
Deadline: July ~ TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: Competition Wayra UK
Target/Criteria: European citizens or at least 1 Europe based member, fit into one of the compeition categories
Application: Online application form, Pitch
Deadline: September ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: European Cleantech Challenge
Target/Criteria: Student of young professional in EU, less than 26 years old
Application: 3 minute video pitch, 6 slide presentation
Deadline: September ~ TBA
Prize Category: Mixed

Competition Name: Million Pound Startup
Target/Criteria: High-growth, mid-sized and entrepreneurial businesses
Application: N/A
Deadline: September ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits 

Click Here to View The 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide

Competition Name: Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards
Target/Criteria: Demonstrating sustainability
Application: 500 word pitch
Deadline: September ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: Wonga Future 50
Target/Criteria: Less than 4 years old, steady turnover and emplyment growth, innovative and disruptive
Application: 400 - 500 words on why your firm has outstanding potential
Deadline: September ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: The Sirius Programme by UKTI
Target/Criteria: Less than 3 years old, UK based, independently owned
Application: Online application form with £45 fee
Deadline: September 27th
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: Balkan Venture Forum
Target/Criteria: Tech Startup in ICT industry, Located in Balkan countries, looking for investment and partnership opportunities in the next 18 - 24 months
Application: Pitching to an Investor Jury
Deadline: October ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits 

Competition Name: Richmond Den
Target/Criteria: Student or graduates of UK universities in the past 4 years
Application: Online application form and video pitch
Deadline: October ~ TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: CUE Business Creation Competition
Target/Criteria: European Startups, Less than $2M in funding
Application: Online application form through AngelList
Deadline: November ~ TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Click Here to View The 2014 UK & Europe Startup Competition Guide

Competition Name: Growing Business Awards
Target/Criteria: Entertainment startups, less than 3 years old, less than 10 full-time employees, business-ready
Application: Online application form
Deadline: November ~ TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits 

Competition Name: Discovering Start-ups 2014
Target/Criteria: Students
Application: Win university or society startup compeition, video pitch and detailed business plan , 10 minute pitch
Deadline: TBA
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Competition Name: EU Venture Summit - Startup Addventure
Target/Criteria: Must win regional version - Italian, Balkan, Nordic or Turkish
Application: Online registration, present company
Deadline: TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: MidemLab 2014
Target/Criteria: Technology Startup
Application: Online application form
Deadline: TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: Startup Awards 2014
Target/Criteria: Aged 16 - 30, based in UK, business less than 1 year old
Application: Cumulative result of the above competition
Deadline: TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: Thinking Digital Startup Competition - Sage One
Target/Criteria: Students of all nationalities who want to set up businesses in UK
Application: Online application form and Youtube pitch
Deadline: TBA
Prize Category: Mixed

Competition Name: Young Startup Talent
Target/Criteria: 16 - 25 year olds
Application: Online application form
Deadline: TBA
Prize Category: Mixed

Competition Name: Nectar Small Business Awards
Target/Criteria: Student or graduates of universities in the past 5 years, more than a year old, UK based
Application: Online registration, finalist pitch
Deadline: TBA
Prize Category: Cash

Competition Name: Pathways 2014
Target/Criteria: Innovative young companies to participate in workshops
Application: Request an invitation online
Deadline: September 1
Prize Category: Non-cash benefits

Last Chance, Click Here to View The Guide

Tuesday 4 March 2014

How can FlatClub benefit your community? Case Study: London Business School



We've had the opportunity to partner up & engage with some of the leading university's of the world: through their alumni, students, and faculty. Our clubs, well over 400 now on the site, are a testament to our value for university communities. About a year ago, we produced a PDF detailing our some of the stats & facts for our largest club: the London Business School Club. Read on for highlights, and below you'll find a link to download the full PDF.

Reaching a Global & Diverse Community of Trust

The LBS Club on FlatClub is 60% alumni, 26% current students, and 14% faculty & staff. In the first 2 years of the LBS Club's existence, more than 300 bookings were made within the club.

Valuable Savings & Earnings for Club Members
Members of LBS Club who host on FlatClub have earned in excess of $250,000 - while members of the club who are guests have saved over $1.4 million on FlatClub. Those savings come largely from the fact that rooms & flats on our site are 78% less expensive than comparable hotels.

Make Exchange, Internships & Relocation Easier
University admins know that finding short term accommodation that is both affordable & trustworthy isn't always easy. FlatClub makes it simpler because we can vet the credentials of a host, and our properties are significantly cheaper than the other options.

We must be doing something right, as 99.2% of our guests & hosts would recommend us to friends & family! Search for your club now, and download the below PDF for more information on how FlatClub helped LBS in 2013.