UPDATE…
Ever thought of entering your app to AppCircus? Then check out this article of my experience of applying and the contest I attended in November last year. It might give you the inspiration you need to have a go yourself…
It’s been an interesting week for my self and my app. Last week I had the privilege of showcasing The Girl in the Spaceship interactive eBook at AppCircus, TechHub in London.
AppCircus is a “unique global travelling showcase of the most creative and innovative apps presented by their creators during some of the most influential international events in mobile/web.”
AppCircus is “open to developers, startups and any other organization and offers each participant a chance to get a nomination to the Mobile Premier Awards.”
In order to take part you need to join AppCircus, which is an easy process, then add your app. You can, then, search around for AppCircus events and submit your app; they are truly global and are adding new places all the time. There is a judging panel which then selects 10 of the best apps for each event. I should say that it is usually 10 but in some circumstances there may be slightly less or slightly more. Those 10 selected apps will then be given the opportunity to pitch their app in front of a group of judges and an audience. It is an exciting opportunity and definitely is unique. I don’t know any other event/competition that offers the same chance for app creators to showcase their apps. There is no entrance fee. It is free to take part and offers everyone the same chance of having their app selected to showcase. It’s a golden opportunity and, the way I see it, you have nothing to lose!
Now, I submitted The Girl in the Spaceship not expecting it to be selected. This is my first app and am extremely new to the ‘app world’. I work alone and see my self as a creator. I use art/graphics, music, words and sound to create a whole picture. I see my app as a work of art and a little bit like a short film. All the components are integral to the final outcome. In this case, the components came together to produce The Girl in the Spaceship interactive eBook. I submitted it to AppCircus London, as I said, not expecting it to be selected, but secretly hoping that it would (we humans are strange creatures!).
Imagine my surprise when the closing date came and I received an email saying The Girl in the Spaceship had been chosen as a selected app to showcase at TechHub! Okay, so now I had to get a three minute presentation together to pitch my app in front of a selected jury including Vodafone & The Next Web UK. I managed to get my pdf file together and sent it off to AppCircus.
November 16th came! Was I nervous? Yes, definitely! I’ve never pitched my app before and certainly not in front of an audience!
I needn’t have worried. The atmosphere was relaxed and fairly chilled out. Thankfully there were no big egos. There was even pizza, beer & wine!
After a brief chat from Rudy De Waele, AppCircus founder, there were introductions from the judging panel and then the pitches took place.
As I wasn’t first I was able to watch a few of the pitches before it was my turn. They were all well put together and handled the judges the questions competently…it was a little reminiscent of Dragons Den, but with the added bonus of having a live audience directly in front of you! By the time it was my turn to stand up and pitch my nerves had disappeared a little. In fact because of the relaxed nature it actually felt quite fun! It was all over very quick. I was asked a few questions and then sat back down.
Once the pitches were over it was time for a break and a chance to network, whilst the judges made their decision on the winning & runner up app. I am not the most natural networker, but found that people came up to me to ask questions and equally I felt able to approach others. Not long after it was time to announce the winner.
The winning app was announced as Echoecho, which is a social media app. The runner up was Siine Writer and a special mention went to Runtastic. Well, it’s obvious to say I didn’t win, but it didn’t matter, though. I was still a selected app which is an honour in itself. It was a great opportunity to be at TechHub and to pitch my app and I would highly recommend app developers/creators to take part in AppCircus. It’s a great platform and as of yet I haven’t seen anything else like it; the fact that it travels around the globe means that there is much more scope to discover new talent and give opportunity to creative individuals in front of a live audience.
List of selected apps for AppCircus London
Judges present at AppCircus London (TechHub)
AppCircus
The Girl in the Spaceship
