Apply in three simple steps
1
Create your free SeedLegals account
We save your details, so you can come back and edit them at any time.
2
Tell us about you & your mission
Who you are, what you’re building and why it matters.
3
Upload a 90-second pitch video
Not ready yet? You can add it later, any time before December 1.
Check out our top tips for creating a strong pitch video.
Every applicant gets
A free pitch page to share with investors
Join the UK and Ireland’s largest national pitching programme and get seen by top investors
Turn the shadows into a spotlight with one simple application.
The details you enter become a ready-made page. Send one link to any investor, whether you win or not.
The Pitch 2027 timeline
Here’s a breakdown of the key dates for the 2027 programme:
March
Grand Final in London (exact date tbc)
Jan – March
Regional finals take place (exact dates tbc)
4 – 15 Jan
Exclusive mentoring for the finalists
Mid-Dec
Applications shortlisted:
80 regional finalists selected
1 Dec
Applications close
23 Sept
Applications open
We’re still working behind the scenes to make this year our best yet, so stay tuned for the exact event dates and locations.
How does the competition work?
Founders will go head to head in the UK and Ireland’s largest national pitching programme, submitting their 90 second pitches to get into one of the following regional events unfolding between January and March 2027.
When it’s time for your 90 second slot to show off your sharpened pitch and shine in front of the regional judging panels, there’ll be no slides, no safety blanket allowed – just you and your story.
The judges will be watching for:
- Idea
- Proof of traction
- Team
- The pitch itself
One winner will be selected from each regional event… and invited to pitch it out with the other regional winners in the London Grand Final.
Once everyone at the Grand Final has had a chance to pitch and the votes have been tallied up, we’ll crown one champion for 2027 – and send them home with a shining trophy and a treasure chest of swoon-worthy founder perks.
Why should I apply?
With submissions being judged by active local startup investors, we’re granting you free and valuable exposure to the people backing innovation in 8 different locations across the UK and Ireland.
And because the programme is run by the SeedLegals team, applying also means stepping into our wider ecosystem of 100k+ founders, investors and operators who are all part of the SeedLegals world, and who regularly share practical expertise on launching, managing and scaling a successful startup.
We’re more than just a competition. We’ve got the tools and connections you need to boost your brand and bring your business to life.
Who can apply?
The Pitch is open to ambitious early-stage businesses with big ideas and the drive to make them happen. To be eligible, your business must meet the following criteria:
- UK or Irish based limited company
- Fewer than 250 employees
- Trading for fewer than 7 years
Who should apply and attend?
We want to hear directly from the people building the business.
We know founders have busy schedules, so anyone from your team can complete and submit the application on their behalf. The important thing is that a founder or member of the founding team is available to attend the event, pitch the business and make the most of the mentoring, investor connections and opportunities on offer.
Not sure if your business qualifies? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help clarify.
…and who are we actually looking for?
We want bold business blasts. Does it look great on paper? You’re halfway there.
But you also need to have a clear, confident delivery that makes you unforgettable in person.
Show us you have a plan
You’re a dreamer, but we want to know how big you plan to go with that dream. What’s the next stop on your flight – and how can winning The Pitch help get you there?
Pitch perfectly with proof
Any wins – no matter how small – should be highlighted. If you received a grant, won another competition, earned a spot on a business panel, achieved a new milestone on your traction roadmap… we want to hear about it.
Share the details and make them stick
Let your personality shine through, by blending in the values that drive your mission, diving into your daily operations, and gushing over the USPs that set you apart from everyone else. The more authenticity you can squeeze into one pitch, the better.
The mic is all yours. Use it wisely.
Got an eye for great ideas?
Are you an investor with a keen eye for high-potential startups?
We want you on our judging panel!
Join the fun, discover bold ideas, and celebrate founders from one of the most exciting seats in the house.
As a judge, you’ll:
- Sit on a panel at one of our regional finals, watch 90-second lightning pitches, ask questions, and score the best ideas
- Give founders actionable feedback and help shape the next generation of UK & Ireland startups
How to get involved:
Email holly@thepitch.uk and tell us all about your investment background and let us know which event(s) you’d like to judge – Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Oxford & Manchester.
Read our FAQs
Any questions? Our FAQs can help, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, drop us a line at hello@thepitch.uk.
Testimonials
What our community members think…
The Pitch was a chance for us to get out and tell our story of why we’re building a company like this, and also get market feedback and validation that what we’re building is definitely needed.
Gaby Mendes
founder of TalkTwenties, previous pitcher
Meeting exceptional people building incredible companies is the best part of this job. The Pitch is something we look forward to every year! The energy the event brings is unrivalled and it puts Northern founders on the national stage.
Ben Davies
PXN Group, Manchester regional judge
Winning The Pitch has broken down barriers. People who wouldn’t speak to us before are now speaking to us. It’s a phenomenal thing.
Tersha Willis
Co-founder of terrible*, previous pitcher
Thanks for the opportunity to judge 10 seriously impressive companies. The quality, ambition and execution on display were top tier. There are some businesses here building things that are genuinely meaningful, scalable and commercially real.
Manjit Mooker
Angel investor, Glasgow regional judge
The Pitch was a chance for us to get out and tell our story of why we’re building a company like this, and also get market feedback and validation that what we’re building is definitely needed.
Gaby Mendes
founder of TalkTwenties, previous pitcher
Meeting exceptional people building incredible companies is the best part of this job. The Pitch is something we look forward to every year! The energy the event brings is unrivalled and it puts Northern founders on the national stage.
Ben Davies
PXN Group, Manchester regional judge
Winning The Pitch has broken down barriers. People who wouldn’t speak to us before are now speaking to us. It’s a phenomenal thing.
Tersha Willis
Co-founder of terrible*, previous pitcher
Thanks for the opportunity to judge 10 seriously impressive companies. The quality, ambition and execution on display were top tier. There are some businesses here building things that are genuinely meaningful, scalable and commercially real.
Manjit Mooker
Angel investor, Glasgow regional judge