Emerging Giants is an exciting new initiative aimed at finding and supporting ambitious, next-gen businesses who lack the resources to reach the next level.
The Emerging Giants event, brought to you by BDC Partners and it’s Collective, will see five shortlisted brands pitch their business model, mission and goals to a panel of expert judges for the chance to get an injection of equity funding of up to $250,000, and expert mentoring.
High profile entrepreneur Boost Juice founder Janine Allis will share her invaluable expertise with the winning brand in a one-on-one strategy session.
Emerging Giants a helping hand for promising businesses
The pitch is open to retailers and franchisors with between three and 25 units.
Bruce McFarlane, CEO of BDC Partners, which is launching the initiative, says it’s an ideal opportunity for savvy entrepreneurs who lack the necessary resources, investment or skills to take their potential-packed business to the next stage of development.
“We see across our group there are many promising businesses in emerging markets who get stuck and cannot get to the next level of their growth journey. In franchising, franchisors with fewer than 20 units may not generate enough revenue from franchisees to deliver the support that’s needed.
“And it’s a similar tale in retail – brands open a couple of profitable stores but when they reach eight or 10, resources are stretched and profitability declines,” McFarlane says.
The BDC Partners Collective has a broad reach, with retail and franchising experts across investment, property, strategy, legal, insurance, finance, geomapping, franchise recruitment, lead generation, commercial fitout and accounting.
BDC Investments is part of the BDC Partners collective and is backing the Emerging Giants initiative.
Jon Sully, managing director of BDC Investments and a former part owner of Michels Patisserie, says “We set up BDC investments to help founders break through that critical 20 to 25 outlets ceiling.
“Currently 64 per cent of franchise systems in Australia are trapped in this zone, even though many have demonstrated strong proven business models. Unfortunately for various re-occurring reasons they cannot move forward.
“That’s where the Emerging Giants backed by BDC investments come in; we invest capital, and more importantly resources on top, to push through the death zone and thrive.
“There are many sleeping giants out there and we are trying to wake them up,” Sully says.
What will it take to be a prize winner in the first Emerging Giants pitch?
McFarlane says the winning business/es will align with BDC’s values: passion, integrity and collaboration.
“Emerging Giants is about businesses that are people focused, that support head office, that put their employees first, and are doing the right thing by customers, franchisees, investors, partners and shareholders.
“We are looking for businesses that have a strong brand, and are in a sunrise not a sunset market. The businesses will have a passionate founder or owner willing to listen, who wants support, and can work collaboratively with partners,” McFarlane explains.
The BDC Collective takes a hands-on approach with its clients, he points out.
“We work alongside founders and CEOs, to get in and help with franchise development and operations.
“We commit as partners with investment and through our community there are a number of businesses we know and trust so we can provide access to former and current franchisors and retailers, at board and operational levels.”
The pitch is judged by industry experts and entrepreneurs
The pitch itself is a 5 – 7 minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions and feedback from judges.
On the Emerging Giants’ judging panel:
- Jon Sully, MD of BDC Investments MD;
- Michael Sutherland, Lead Partner at Fordham Business Advisors;
- Marcel Lal, global COO of InXpress;
- Amie Larter, CEO of Octomedia, publisher of Inside Retail and Franchise Executives;
- Kate Save, CEO of Be Fit Foods, Telstra Businesswoman of the Year 2022 for Victoria and a former contestant on Shark Tank.
McFarlane says the five finalists who get to pitch their businesses will benefit from expert advice, and have the opportunity to win cash and business prizes.
Each will receive a 3-hour strategy workshop for their leadership team with BDC.
The five finalists will also receive leadership coaching from Paul Roos, former AFL Hall of Fame player, coach and founder of Performance by Design.
To be in the running for the pitch, businesses will need to submit information about their business model, growth plan, founder’s experience, the level of resources, and whether there is external investment. Applications for the Emerging Giants pitch close on 24 October and the pitch night will be held on 13 November.
“Some of the businesses we’ve invested in may not have hit growth targets because they have been under-resourced,” McFarlane says.
“In their journey so far, they don’t have the skills. We want business owners who are self-aware to know they don’t know everything and understand they lack the capacity to get to the next stage. That’s where we can help.”
