For developers of technology, projects or services getting the right expert advice can make all the difference when it comes to overcoming the 'valley of death' between innovation and commercialisation. 

Thanks to an initiative master-minded by Tim Cornelius, CEO of Atlantis Resources, the winner of the All-Energy 2017 Marine Renewable Energy Investment Challenge - a 'Dragon's Den-style' event - will benefit from up to  £10,000-worth of invaluable advice from lawyers, stockbrokers, investment bankers, accountants, communications experts and marketeers. 

Open to all marine energy renewables including tidal stream, tidal barrage, tidal lagoon, wave, OTEC, salinity gradient and floating offshore wind, the event will be held in the 'Marine Renewable Energy' stream of the conference on 10 May, the opening day of All-Energy 2017, the UK's largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference (SEC, Glasgow), with the winner announced at the All-Energy Giant Networking Evening. www.all-energy.co.uk/investment-challenge 

"This is a tremendous addition to All-Energy 2017, we thank Tim Cornelius for his enthusiasm and his initiative" says Event Director Jonathan Heastie of organisers, Reed Exhibitions. 

"Everyone needs help shaping their plans ready for the investment community. By entering the All-Energy Marine Renewable Energy Investment Challenge, up to five short-listed candidates, who may be individuals or representing companies or projects, each have an opportunity for a 10-minute elevator pitch in front of our so-called 'dragons' (named after the investors in the popular BBC Two television programme). 

"Each of the candidates will then get five minutes of immediate feedback from our panel of experts, and the winner will benefit from a specially tailored workshop, sponsored by Atlantis, with one aim - to help him, or her, raise funds. It is going to be an exciting 90-minute session; I'm certainly looking forward to it!" 

Tim Cornelius will chair the session, with Jock Maxwell Macdonald, Director, Peel Hunt; Nick Stamp, Executive Director, Macquarie Capital; Cameron Smith, Partner, Ashurst lawyers; Ben Brewerton, Director, FTI Consulting; and Jonnie Cox, Equity Sales, Cantor Fitzgerald as his 'dragons'. "Undoubtedly, many in the audience will benefit when the 'dragons' comment on the submissions," says Tim Cornelius. "There may only be one winner, but I hope that the advice and feedback given during the session will help many others there on the day." 

Those eager to take part need to submit a maximum five-page standard business plan (which will be treated in complete confidence) to [email protected] with 'Investment Challenge' in the subject line. The deadline for submission of the business plans is close of play on Wednesday 28 March. The short-listed five will be notified of their success by mid-April so they can organise their travel to, and accommodation in, Glasgow. 

"We ask all involved with marine renewables to 'spread the word' so that Tim and his 'dragons' have a superb number of submissions to pore over," says Jonathan Heastie. "Perhaps being with us in Glasgow will open the 'dragons'' eyes to the innovative ideas that our visitors hear about annually in the conference, and see in the exhibition. As always, the two-day event, including the Giant Networking Evening at the Glasgow Science Centre, is free of charge to all with a business/ professional interest in the topics we cover."

All-Energy | www.all-energy.co.uk