Launch48 returns to Melbourne looking to be pitch perfect

Launch48, the weekend-long gathering for budding entrepreneurs, is to return to Melbourne with a greater emphasis on improving start-ups’ pitching skills.

The event was first held in Melbourne last year, with a follow-up in Sydney hosted by software company Atlassian.

The success of Launch48 will see it return to Melbourne on June 1, where it will be held at start-up incubator space York Butter Factory.

The gathering, expected to attract about 60 people, will see fledgling business owners pitch their idea to a panel of angels and venture capitalists.

Participants are then intensively mentored over two days in order to develop, market and launch their business by the end of the weekend.

The York Butter Factory iteration of Launch48 will see a greater emphasis on polishing the hopefuls’ pitches, according to organiser Daniel May.

“We are running Launch48 in the style of a start-up, so we leverage learnings all the time and amend the model,” he says.

“The core proposition of the event works well and we won’t change that, but we will make some changes around the pitching element.”

“Speaking to angels and VCs, there’s a strong concern that start-ups just don’t spend enough time pitching their idea.”

“They are so focused on building their idea that they don’t practice pitching it.”

“This event will help them realise that pitching is an important process. We will streamline the pitches so that they are more focused on the pitch, rather than being a talkfest.”

“So, rather than someone walking in and the panel asking them questions straight away, they will give a five or 10 minute pitch, with questions to follow.”

“We really think this will help teams, as well as provide them with some inspiration.”