The cash was awarded to ProFinda following a Dragons’ Den-style pitching event organised by MITIE in front of an audience of 70 leading business figures and three judges.
ProFinda’s talent matching technology beat off strong competition from four other entrepreneurs at the event, which was held at the Southbank National Theatre.
ProFinda was founded by Roger Gorman, a 37 year-old digital innovation expert, after he left his job at Draftcb last year to pursue his dream of launching an operation that could solve a problem he faced every day in his job and running his own business.
In essence, the solution is an internal talent matching system that helps mid-large size companies mobilise their workforces and help them win more business, retain top talent, motivate staff and access powerful data.
One of the other bidders sought capital for a start-up using digital innovation to conduct water testing for Legionnaires disease. Another team was starting a business that helps retailers to reduce clothing returns through complex mathematical algorithms.
Also presented was a device to retro-fit office lighting and save energy, as well as an innovative training platform that could assist in educating the UK’s diabetic population.
Oli Barrett – the co-founder of the Clean and Cool Mission which helps UK entrepreneurs to meet investors in the US – was compere for the proceedings.
Judging the entrepreneurs was Ruby McGregor Smith CBE (the CEO at MITIE), Peter Ibbetson (chairman for small business banking at RBS) and Suzanne Baxter, MITIE’s group finance director.
Support for over 100 start-up businesses
MITIE has supported over 100 start-up business to grow in its 25-year history, and created a GB pound 10 million fund for new start-ups. After investing nearly half of that money, MITIE launched the MITIE Millions programme to encourage entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas.
MITIE Millions winner Roger Gorman said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have secured an investment for ProFinda. This will help my team to see our big aspirations become reality.”
Gorman continued: “I’m addicted to creating and implementing truly meaningful services and products. I have first-hand experience with the challenges and benefits surrounding start-ups and taking ideas from inception to successful delivery and beyond. To do this with the support of a FTSE 250 company is an amazing opportunity.”
Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE stated: “I’d like to congratulate all of the entrepreneurs who pitched their brilliant ideas at MITIE Millions. They have a huge amount of courage and put in a great deal of hard work.”
The plc’s CEO concluded: “At MITIE we are always looking for ways to help our clients operate in a more efficient way, and ProFinda offers incredible innovation around talent and resourcing. We’re really excited about supporting this business to grow.”
