GSC: For a second, forget that you won.  What did you get out of participating in the GSC? 

Phil Davies: "We had excellent meetings both in Washington and in London with potential users of the technology who were attending to listen to the presentations of the finalists. The people we met were decision makers and high level executives who have since then helped us gain greater access to the engineering teams in their companies."

GSC: What were the most challenging bits about competing in the GSC 2007? And what tips can you give entrants in this year's GSC?

Phil: "The London Business School business plan advice said to get the business plan executive summary down to 1 page, this took me 3 weeks to do. Also the presentation times are short, just 15 to 20 mins. Tips for these would be to read the London Business School instructions online [click here] on how to prepare and write your business plan and to follow them. For the presentations, make sure that you cover the need for your technology in the real world and why there is value in your approach and show why you will be successful."

GSC: How did the questioning by the judges go?

Phil: "If you know your product and market, then the questions are OK, once again the need for the technology has to be clear and why you are different from other solutions is critical. This must be clear or the questions can get tough."

GSC: What were the main differences between the American Semi-Final and the Grand Final in London?

Phil: "My nerves were far greater in London at the final. The competition is also much harder, as the best from every region are present. The audience is also larger and the 1:1 session with the judges was tougher and the questions much harder."

GSC: How did the GSC process help improve your business plan?

Phil: "It really made us think about the market and the true value of our technology. Getting the business plan into 1 page and the key points into a 15 min presentation really helped us hone our message and focus our activities on the essential few."