Official 2027 Launchpad Ambassador
BBC Apprentice winner Karishmua
Empowering women. Creating businesses. Transforming communities.
Wolverhampton · 24 January 2027
Female
Founders
Launchpad
A day for ambitious women to turn ideas into businesses. Practical workshops, inspiring speakers, meaningful connections and the chance to pitch for a £2,500 grant.
November second ticket release
Waitlist priority access: Sunday 1 November 2026, 8:00 am UK time, via your emailed link. Public release: Monday 2 November 2026, 8:00 am UK time. Public tickets are available on 2 November only; this release closes at midnight starting 3 November. A potential December release is not yet confirmed.
£2,500
Business grant
5
Pitch finalists
10+
Expert guest speakers
18+
Open to all women
Save the date
Sunday 24 January 2027
Park Hall Hotel & Spa, Wolverhampton
Park Drive, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton WV4 5AJ — a Grade II listed Georgian mansion with free on-site parking.
The venue
An extraordinary place to begin.
Launchpad 2027 takes place at the Park Hall Hotel & Spa — a Grade II listed Georgian mansion in Wolverhampton, first built in 1705 as the residence of the Ward family, later Earls of Dudley. Behind its stately brick façade and Rococo fountain you'll find elegant light-filled event spaces, sweeping landscaped gardens and one of the West Midlands' most prestigious hotel spas.
We can't think of a better place to begin your business journey.
Park Drive, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton WV4 5AJ · Free on-site parking
Our vision
This isn't just another networking event.
Midlands Female Founders Launchpad is designed to equip women with the knowledge, confidence, funding opportunities and connections needed to build successful businesses. Whether you're just getting started or ready to grow, you'll leave with knowledge, confidence, connections and a clear plan for your next steps.
- confidence
- funding
- networks
- mentors
- practical knowledge
Meet our ambassador
From £7.42 in the bank to Lord Sugar’s boardroom.
As our Official 2027 Launchpad Ambassador, Karishma brings that same grit and belief to the next generation of founders, proof that an idea, backed by determination, can become a business that changes everything.
Day one
Learn. Connect. Pitch. Grow.
Learn
Practical workshops on starting up, business planning, finance, tax, legal compliance, marketing, branding, sales, sustainability and growth.
Connect
Network with investors, business owners, finance specialists, mentors, sponsors and support organisations from across the Midlands.
Pitch
Five finalists are announced live at the event on Sunday 24 January 2027 and pitch their business to an expert panel that same day. The winner is chosen that day for a £2,500 business grant, mentoring, publicity and continued support.
Grow
Leave with knowledge, confidence, connections and a clear plan for your next steps — whether you're just getting started or ready to scale.
The business challenge
Pitch your business for a £2,500 grant.
Expect inspiring founders, practical workshops, expert mentors and the chance to pitch your business for a £2,500 business grant. Applications close on Sunday 27 December 2026, four weeks before the event. The five finalists are announced live at the event on Sunday 24 January 2027, pitch their business that same day, and the winner is chosen that day.
Event objectives
- 01Inspire women to start and grow businesses
- 02Increase female entrepreneurship across the Midlands
- 03Improve access to funding and finance
- 04Connect women with successful founders and mentors
- 05Build lasting business networks
- 06Award funding to promising entrepreneurs
- 07Create measurable social and economic impact
Build your business. Build your network. Build your future.
November second ticket release
Waitlist priority access: Sunday 1 November 2026, 8:00 am UK time, via your emailed link. Public release: Monday 2 November 2026, 8:00 am UK time. Public tickets are available on 2 November only; this release closes at midnight starting 3 November. A potential December release is not yet confirmed.