Pitchtape is a software platform that simplifies the video submission process for applicants, assessors, and administrators. It offers a user-friendly way to record, review, and manage video submissions within a single platform. Innovate UK has partnered with Pitchtape to:

• Improve the quality of video submissions through a structured recording process

• Offer a consistent and standardized experience for applicants and assessors

• Save time and effort in recording, evaluating, and managing video submissions

• Showcase the individuals and their enthusiasm behind the applications

You can access Pitchtape directly through your Innovation Funding Service (IFS) application. On the application overview page, locate the video submission section. Then, on the application question page, click on the ‘record video’ link to be redirected to the Pitchtape platform in a new tab or window.

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when recording your Pitchtape submission:

• Prepare a script: Write out what you want to say beforehand, even if it’s just bullet points.

• Keep it concise: Get to the point and avoid rambling.

• Be authentic: Let your personality and passion shine through.

• Don't wait until the last minute: Give yourself ample time to prepare, record, and submit.

• Use supported devices: Stick to the Google Chrome browser on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

• Respect the time limit: Adhere to the video length specified in the application instructions.

• Don't stress about production quality: Focus on the content of your answers, not on production quality. Your video recording and editing skills aren't being assessed.

Once you navigate to the Pitchtape platform through your Innovation Funding Service application, click the "record video" button. You'll be able to record one topic at a time, and Pitchtape will automatically stitch these segments together.

Yes. Pitchtape lets you retake each video topic as many times as you need. You can preview your recordings and choose the best take for each segment.

Yes, you can collaborate with other team members on your Pitchtape video. If there is more than one video topic, each person can record their designated topics separately, and the last person to access the platform can stitch the entire video together. Ensure you save each recording before switching users.

However, please note the following when recording as a team:

• Team recording is only available if all team members record in landscape mode and have the same camera resolutions set to 720p. Your video will not be processed if topics are recorded in different resolutions.

• We recommend that each team member record using the same browser. For example, if one team member records using the Google Chrome browser, the other team members should also record in Google Chrome. Note that videos recorded in Google Chrome may not be viewable in Safari within the video recorder itself. However, the final stitched version of the video will be viewable in Safari.

Yes, you can record your video submission on a mobile device using the Google Chrome browser. Simply log into your IFS account on your mobile device and follow the same steps as you would on a computer.

No, your video must be recorded directly through the Pitchtape platform answering the specific questions tailored by Innovate UK. This ensures a standardized submission and evaluation process.

Yes, Pitchtape supports screen sharing, allowing you to present slides, demos, prototypes, or other visual materials as part of your Innovate UK video submission.

For more details, check out the tutorial video on this page starting at 17:20, or refer to our screen share guide.

Note: Screen sharing may not be enabled for your competition. Check the video submission guidance on the Innovation Funding Service for details on what features are available. If screen sharing is enabled but you still do not see the option, make sure you are using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on a desktop or laptop computer. Screen sharing is not supported on mobile devices, tablets, or Firefox.

After recording and stitching your video, click the "Submit video" button in Pitchtape. Your video will automatically be linked to your Innovation Funding Service application.

For security reasons, the link from IFS to Pitchtape is valid for 24 hours. If your session expires, simply return to your IFS application and click on the ‘record video’ link again. Make sure to save any recordings before your sessions expires so your progress will be saved and you can continue where you left off.

You can contact Pitchtape’s support team by clicking here. Be sure to include your unique Submission ID when contacting us.

With Pitchtape, you can record your video one topic at a time in short segments, and our technology will automatically stitch your topics together into one pitch video.

On the recorder screen, you will see a list of video topics. To record a video for a topic, select the topic by clicking on the topic name. The video icon and topic name will turn red when the topic is selected.

On the recorder screen, you may also see instructions to limit your pitch video to a certain length. Please make sure to follow these instructions. Failure to follow these instructions could negatively affect your submission.

Once all topics are recorded, click on the stitch video button to complete your pitch video.

Your videos must be recorded through our platform on your laptop/desktop computer or mobile device using the Google Chrome browser. At this time, you cannot upload your own videos.

You can download the Google Chrome browser by visiting https://www.google.com/chrome/.

Please make sure you are using the latest version of Chrome.

If you are experiencing issues, please try the following:

1. Restart your Chrome browser and/or your device.

2. Update your Chrome browser by visiting chrome://settings/help.

3. Clear your Chrome cache by visiting chrome://history/ and selecting 'Clear browsing data.'

Mobile recording may or may not be disabled for a particular event. If, when logged in to your account on a mobile device, you see a message to use your laptop or desktop computer, then mobile recording is disabled and you cannot use your mobile device.

If mobile recording is enabled, you can record your video through our platform on your mobile device using the Google Chrome app. You can download the Google Chrome app by visiting the app store on your mobile device.

To record on a mobile device, you must turn your phone horizontally. Please make sure to turn off your phone’s portrait orientation lock. Additionally, do not refresh your browser while recording a video topic.

You can record some video topics on a mobile device and other video topics on a laptop or desktop device. Our technology will still automatically stitch your topics together into one pitch video.

Please note that video recording is not compatible with iPads or other tablets. To use the Pitchtape video recorder on your mobile device, your device must meet the following requirements:

iOS (mobile):

• iOS 14.3 or above

• Compatible with iPhone

• Not compatible with iPadOS

Android (mobile):

• Android 6.0 Marshmallow or above

• Not compatible with Android Go edition

Video processing speeds vary depending on a number of factors, including the length of your video and your internet connection. We recommend at least 5mbps upload speed. You can test your upload speed by visiting https://www.speedtest.net/.

On a stable connection, video processing should not take more than a few minutes for videos under 5 minutes at 720p recording quality.

However, if you record a long video and your upload speed is on the lower end, then the processing time will increase.

Please wait at least 15 minutes after completing your video for your video to process, and do not close the browser tab until you are able to play the video you recorded.

Please ensure that your computer camera and microphone are WebRTC compatible with a camera resolution of at least 720 pixels by visiting https://webcasts.com/webrtc/. After running the WebRTC test, click on “Camera” then “Check supported resolutions” and make sure that the supported resolutions include 1280x720.

If your camera and/or microphone are still not working, please check your computer's system preferences, navigate to Camera or Sound and check if there is any indication of a disabled camera or muted microphone.

If your camera and microphone are working properly on the test site, make sure to allow access to your camera and microphone on Pitchtape by:

1. clicking the secure lock to the left of the Pitchtape URL,

2. clicking on 'Site settings,' and

3. selecting 'Allow' for camera and microphone.

After doing so, you may need to restart your Chrome browser.

If you are still experiencing issues, please make sure your default camera is correct by visiting chrome://settings/content/camera. You can also do this by:

1. clicking the video icon to the right of the Pitchtape URL,

2. clicking on ‘Manage,’

3. clicking on ‘Camera’ under Permissions, and

4. selecting the correct camera.

You may also need to disable a camera through your Device Manager by following the steps below:

1. Right-click the Start button.

2. Click Device Manager.

3. Click the dropdown arrow next to Cameras.

4. Right-click the Camera you do NOT WANT TO USE.

5. Click Disable.

6. Click Yes.

When you wish to re-enable this camera, follow these steps again to Enable the device.

If you have successfully recorded a video but the playback only shows a black screen with audio, the issue may be related to your Google Chrome browser settings. This can occur if hardware acceleration is disabled in your browser.

To resolve this issue, please try the following:

1. Open a new tab in your Google Chrome browser and visit: chrome://settings/system

2. Locate the setting for Use graphics acceleration when available.

3. Ensure this setting is toggled on.

4. After enabling this setting, please restart your Chrome browser for the changes to take effect. Your video should now play back with both video and audio.

If you are experiencing audio issues on the downloaded version of your video, please drag the downloaded video file from your computer into the Google Chrome browser. You should then be able to play the video with audio.

Yes! The great thing about Pitchtape is that you can record your video one topic at a time in short segments that our technology automatically stitches together into one seamless video. So, you can share your login credentials and have each team member record their specific video topic. When the last person is done recording, they can click to complete the video, and our technology will do the rest.

However, please note the following when recording as a team:

• Team recording is only available if all team members record in landscape mode and have the same camera resolutions set to 720p. Your video will not be processed if topics are recorded in different resolutions.

• We recommend that each team member record using the same browser. For example, if one team member records using the Google Chrome browser, the other team members should also record in Google Chrome. Note that videos recorded in Google Chrome may not be viewable in Safari within the video recorder itself. However, the final stitched version of the video will be viewable in Safari.

Pitchtape primarily supports and recommends using the Google Chrome browser for the best experience. We do our best to also support Microsoft Edge and Safari, although software updates might cause compatibility issues with our platform from time to time.