Over 500 startup founders from across the UK entered The Pitch 2023. We’ve chosen the top 60 to pitch at our regional semi-finals, where they will have just 90 seconds to convince a panel of investors that their business deserves to make it to The Pitch Final.
This year’s startups are developing innovations that tackle global challenges, including eco-friendly electric aircrafts, bioplastics made from seaweed and a platform for size-inclusive clothes-swapping.
Each startup will be judged based on the following criteria and given an overall score:
- The idea: Is the business solving a problem consumers care about?
- Proof of traction: How much demonstrable market interest is there?
- The team: Is the founding team right for the challenge?
- The pitch: How strong is their pitch?
Couldn’t make our events? We’ll keep this page updated with the winner from each regional final, plus all the pitching videos and judging scores. Bookmark it now!
The Pitch Final
On Thursday 19th October, the final eight startups who’ve made it from a selection of over 500 applications and through our regional finals, will pitch to a team of top investors for a chance to be the winner of The Pitch 2023.
Our fantastic judging panel will be on hand to give their thoughts on the pitches and decide who will be this year’s winner:
👉 Sherry Coutu CBE, entrepreneur & angel investor
👉 Jamie Crummie, Co-Founder at Too Good To Go
👉 Eshita Kabra, Founder & CEO at By Rotation
👉 Kirsty Macdonald, Principal at JamJar Investments
👉 Tom March, Founder and Managing Partner at Redrice Ventures
👉 Simon Squibb, investor & Founder at HelpBnk
The final startups pitching are:
| Company | Pitch video | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Shroot | ||
| Elifinty | ||
| Twinn Health | ||
| Flux Aviation | ||
| EdenFiftyOne | ||
| Fodilicious | ||
| Three Robins | ||
| The People’s Choice winner (TBC) |
Throughout September, we had our regional finals across the country. Here are all the details for each regional final:
Bristol regional final
On Tuesday 5th September, the most exciting startups in the South West gathered at Origin Workspace in Bristol to pitch to three top investors.
The judges were angel investors and entrepreneurs from the area:
👉 Sam Simpson, CEO at FounderCatalyst
👉 Amy Newton, founder of Newton’s Theory and co-founder of Inclusive Angels
👉 Adam Watts, Mercia Asset Management
London regional final 1
Our London regional finals took place on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th September at Runway East Borough Market.
Judging the first London regional final were:
👉 Ritam Gandhi, founder of Studio Graphene
👉 Eva Tarasova from Wharton Asset Management
👉 Mike Martin, Director of Investment at True Global
London regional final 2
The judges for the second London regional final were:
👉 Margaret Anne Coyle, Co-Founder and CEO at Hotbed
👉 Tania Rahman, Investment Manager at Praetura
👉 Anthony Rose, Founder of SeedLegals
Birmingham regional final
The Birmingham regional took place at The Jointworks on Tuesday 12th September. Judging the event was:
👉 Craig McVoy, Founder at Turnkey
👉 Colin Weston, General Partner at NewFin Capital
👉 Tom Field, Business Development Team Leader at Seedrs
Manchester regional final
The Manchester regional final took place at UseSpace on Wednesday 13th September. The judges were:
👉 Jessica Jackson, Investment Manager at Praetura Ventures
👉 Kiran Mehta, Investment Manager at Mercia Asset Management
👉 Oli Connolly, Investment Director at Fearless Adventures
Edinburgh regional final
The Edinburgh regional final took place on Thursday 14th September at The Melting Pot.
Judging the Edinburgh regional final were:
👉 Mary Jane Brouwers, Associate at Mint Ventures
👉 Barry McCulloch, Senior Manager Scotland at British Business Bank
👉 David Saunders, ecosystem manager at Barclays Eagle Labs
| Company | Pitch video | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ansearch | Watch video | 37 |
| 👑 Fodilicious | Watch video | 51 |
| Lokali.Shop | Watch video | 36 |
| MagPye | Watch video | 48 |
| Sleepl | Watch video | 43 |
| Sunsave Solutions | Watch video | 45 |
| 👑 Three Robins | Watch video | 50 |
