STOURBRIDGE businessman Lee Clark was among more than 100 business professionals who took part in a gruelling 29-hour business Pitchathon, which has set a new world record.
Adjudicators from Guinness World Records confirmed the gong for Longest Business Pitch Marathon had been secured for the very first time after a nail-biting event in London which saw 158 professionals presenting back to back to a panel of judges in the hope of peaking interest in their businesses.
The successful world record bid was part of pitch competition Virgin Media Business VOOM 2016 which attracted more than 300 entries.
Stourbridge’s Lee Clark – who earlier this year launched a new online fundraising platform called GivePenny which connects to devices like fitbit to allow people to pledge money as they hit targets – was among the 158 entrepreneurs who made it through a public vote to the live Pitchathon.
The 37-year-old said: “That was one of the most invigorating experiences of my life. The judges don’t make it easy, nor should they, but I felt by the end of the pitch they had grasped what Give Penny is all about.”
Dedicated judges - Julie Deane OBE, founder and CEO of Cambridge Satchel Company, Andy Fishburn, head of investment at Virgin and Peter Kelly, managing director of Virgin Media Business, were present for the full 29 hours – their longest ever day in the office.
They were also joined by guest judges including Jamal Edwards of SBTV, Sharmadean Reid of WAH Nails, and Peter Williams from Jack Wills.
An exhausted Peter Kelly, who sat on the judging panel for the full 29 hours, said: “It was an ambitious record to set and a huge challenge.
“All 158 businesses are part of this incredible achievement and we saw some wonderful pitches that epitomised what this record, and competition is all about - being creative, resourceful and a little bit daring.”
Sir Richard Branson, Virgin founder, said: “Guinness World Records titles are tangible proof that humans can achieve incredible things if we work together and put our mind to it. “Nobody breaks records – or builds successful businesses – without being dedicated and Virgin Media Business and all of those who pitched have demonstrated this perseverance in spades.”
Despite his efforts - Lee did not make it through to the semi-final but GivePenny remains eligible for the People’s Choice Award.
The business that secures the most public votes by Friday June 24 will win £10,000 which will be presented on stage at the live finale.
Lee said: “My local community have been behind me all the way.
“Mobilising people power on social media meant on the day voting closed GivePenny rose from 88th to 35th in the start-up category, landing us a place at Pitchathon.”
To vote for GivePenny to win the People’s Choice Award or to pledge a donation to help the new initiative grow click here.
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