THREE Cumbrian businesses are set to pitch for a share in a £1m cash prize as part of a national competition.

The startups from Carlisle, Cockermouth and Barrow are all taking part in the Voom competition, which has been organised by Virgin Media.

They are Geo Hitch, an app-based game which sees people pick up virtual hitchhikers, Authentic Maths, a way of instructing teachers on how they should handle the new maths curriculum, and TutorSys, an online system of low-cost private tuition.

Another venture Macrebur, an asphalt which makes use of waste plastic, is also through.

This is based in Eaglesfield, Dumfires and Galloway, and one of the men in charge Toby McCartney is a former pupil of Lime House School at Dalston near Carlisle.

These businesses have all been selected to part part of a shortlist of 160 that will make pitches to a panel of business experts in London tomorrow (Wed) and Thursday.

If they impress the panel, they  go on to the next stage of the contest, with six eventually getting the chance to make their presentations to Sir Richard Branson.

To get this far, the firms had submit their ideas to an online public vote.

The owners are confident of success.

Jonathan Lowe, of Geo Hitch, told the News & Star he had helped generate votes by handing out flyers in pubs and clubs on Botchergate in Carlisle.

"We met some interesting people," he joked.

"I am pretty confident. In terms of the pitch itself it will take a while to put it together."

He puts the app's success down to its uniqueness.

"It is going to be the same thing in getting us through to the next stage."

Rebecca Hanson from Cockermouth, the woman behind Authentic Maths, is also hopeful. She explained: "I saw this curriculum come in and I though 'this is going to be a complete disaster."

The thought about presenting her ideas does not daunt her.

"I am very confident about pitching," she said.

"I am totally in the zone about this."

For more information on Voom, visit www.vmbvoom.com.