A DERBY-BASED entrepreneur has won a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present to Sir Richard Branson and a host of high-profile business luminaries.
Ukrainian-born Igor Rubets is one of only three finalists in the start-up category of the Pitch To Rich competition, and will visit the Branson family home in Oxfordshire to present his storage business, Boxhug.
Joining Sir Richard on the panel on Tuesday, May 13, will be some of the cream of British entrepreneurial talent.
Mr Rubets will also have to impress Peter Williams, co-founder of fashion brand Jack Wills; Nick Jenkins, founder of personalised greeting card website Moonpig; Holly Tucker, co-founder of online gift business Not On The High Street; and fastionista Dina Toki-O.
Inspired by Mr Rubets' time as a student, Boxhug, based in Uttoxeter New Road, allows customers to store items by the box rather than taking on an entire unit.
The business also runs a doorstep return-and-collection service for customers' belongings and operates across Derby and Nottingham.
Mr Rubets' pitch will be streamed live on the internet, with supporters encouraged to help the judges pick a winner. He said: "This is an opportunity of a lifetime. More than 400 companies entered the competition and we are the only start-up finalist from outside London so we really want to win to make Derby proud.
"We have already come up with ideas for the pitch but we will keep them up our sleeves."
The Pitch To Rich competition has been organised by Virgin StartUp, a not-for-profit organisation designed to help fledgling entrepreneurs' business ideas take flight.
The prize package for the award includes £5,000 of investment and professional mentoring that will include expert legal, branding and marketing advice as well as the chance to network with some of the nation's highest-profile business people.
Mr Rubets said: "Having the chance to meet Richard Branson is amazing – it isn't something that happens to me every day.
"I'm not intimidated. It's all about going there and delivering the goods.
"With the right attitude, determination and hard work, we can win it for Derby."
Mr Rubets will be up against disposable and biodegradable rainwear brand Peco Poncho and Audiowings, an enterprise developing premium headphones that link to music streaming services such as Spotify via 3G.
Three more individuals will compete in the competition's innovation category.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said: "I always look forward to judging the Pitch To Rich final and this year we have been impressed by the quality and ingenuity of the pitches we have received.
"I look forward to meeting all of the finalists and wish them all the best of luck with taking the stage on the day and showing us what their businesses are capable of."
