Wyre triumphed over this year’s hefty competition in our 2014 Varsity Pitch Final! Ed Moyse and Harry Huang clinched the top prize of £10,000 for their app business.

Giving his reaction to the news Ed Moyse said: “I actually thought one of the other guys would win it. I literally sat there thinking it could be anyone. DividABill was really interesting. I really liked M-24, that was also interesting.”

Ed’s business partner Harry Huang said: “I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet. There was so much tension leading up to the announcement, when it happened I was just like: ‘WOW!’.”

The event

Today’s Varsity Pitch Final brought together some of the UK’s most exciting and ambitious entrepreneurs. Hosted at Google Campus, after over 400 applications, we knew this year was going to be one of the toughest. There were so many great pitches at the semi-finals we knew the judges were going to have a big job.  

Johnny Luk, NACUE CEO started off the afternoon welcoming everyone to our fifth competition with a remark from the Business Secretary RT Vince Cable, who said: "It takes guts, talent and creativity to be a successful entrepreneur, and these attributes are clearly visible in each of the finalists."

The finalists were compared by Yogesh Chauhan, Director of Corporate Sustainability at TATA, Julien Callede, Made.com founder, Stephanie O’Reilly Womenswear PR Manager at ASOS and 2013 Varsity Pitch winner Phillip Ellis - co-founder of Blaze.

The pitches

Coflo were up first pitching their eco-friendly shower. Richard Ogodeton received praise from the judges for their product development. Julien Callede, MADE.com founder said: “I do think you have a great product, it is solving a problem and it makes sense.”

Wyre founders Ed Moyse and Harry Huang then took to the stage to showcase their app which has been designed to make it easier for individuals to make payments using bitcoin.

ASAP Watercrafts followed afterwards with Ross Kemp’s sustainable option to help lifeguards save more lives. He even led a mini-demonstration on stage using his product.

Next up was Bradley Poku-Amankwah’s Smart Fuel. Bradley presented why his social enterprise - that seeks to address some of Ghana’s developmental issues - should win. 

Fifth in line to pitch to the judges was Mat Dusting of M-24. Mat explained the story of how he recycles lorry curtains and turns them into designer bags.

DividABill followed with Jonathan Akass presenting his app that manages bills to make it easier for students. Jonathan explained how version two of his app was going to thrive with brokerage plans in the works. 

Last, but certainly not least Venteo pitched their app that makes it easier for people to relive the best moments of events from different attenders perspectives.

The decision

After minutes of discussing and some difficult deliberation the judges were able to announce Wyre as the winner! Commenting on the quality of the competition Ed Moyse from Wyre said: “I thought ASAP Watercrafts was really interesting and also M-24.”

Harry Huang added: “DividABill were interesting especially with their phase two idea brokering energy companies.”

After announcing the winners Johnny Luk said: “I think it’s fair to say we saw some pretty amazing pitches. [These businesses are] literally saving lives. It’s so inspiring. Everyone should be really proud of themselves.” 

The people’s choice award was given to SmartFuel. Attendees took to Twitter to cast their votes in the break - as judges decided over the Varsity Pitch winner - and it was not soon before long that Wyre were announced as the people’s choice. 

It was a brilliant event and a testament to the finalists who have worked so hard to get here.