Northallerton Company goes head to head at Venturefest

A Northallerton company that provides easy access to language training in the workplace is in the running for a prize worth over £29,000 at Venturefest Yorkshire next week.

RLI Language Services is one of eight companies shortlisted to present their business propositions at the Investment Competition run by Connect Yorkshire, the organisation that primes young technology companies for investment.

The Competition is part of Venturefest Yorkshire, the annual event that recognises technology and knowledge-based entrepreneurs in the region, held at York Racecourse on Wednesday 7 February 2007.

Each company has 10 minutes to present their investment pitch and convince the judges that they deserve the prize – which includes £5,000 cash and a minimum of £24,000 in office equipment and advice from professionals.

RLI Language Services is aimed at time-poor business executives who need to use languages for work but have little time for practice. The company began in 1995, offering one to one English language training to people relocated to the UK – over 300 languages are spoken in London alone, and for many workers including teachers, doctors and post graduate university students, learning English quickly is vital for their workplace.

The company delivers language training in a number of ways: one to one and small group tuition, short intensive courses, and the new ‘Gapfillers’ service, a suite of online language services, which delivers content by SMS or email to the customer’s phone or PDA.

The Gapfillers system is simple; users are provided with daily and weekly training that includes new words and grammar exercises, listening tests, the chance to write a blog, and access to message boards and chat rooms.

Gapfillers is aimed at people who already have experience in their chosen language, but want to expand their knowledge and use the language in the workplace.

Owner and Manager of RLI Language Services Bernadette Wall said: "Since the beginning of Gapfillers in 2006 we have been building our brand, and we plan on marketing our products to a worldwide audience".

"At Venturefest, we will be focusing on the Gapfillers suite of online sites, as we hope to develop this service further by embarking on search engine optimisation and online marketing campaign".

Connect Yorkshire’s executive director Nick Butler said: "Venturefest Yorkshire’s Investment Competition is a fantastic opportunity for young technology companies to raise their profile".

"Connect is again delighted to be running this prestigious award. As well as being able to win the prize which includes vital cash, the companies also get the chance to pitch their business ideas to experienced professionals and investors from the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels".

"The competition is an exciting opportunity for all our finalists and we wish them the very best of luck on the day," he added.