Pitch your business for a £2,500 grant.

Once you have purchased your Launchpad ticket, you can download the pitch competition application form from this page, complete it and email it back to us. The form asks for your business idea or opportunity, your contact details, and your ticket reference, so we can confirm your place at the event.

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 4 weeks prior to the event (by Sunday 27 December 2026). The five finalists will be announced LIVE at the event. They will then have two weeks to put their business plan together and perfect their pitch ahead of the pitch competition. Details of the pitch competition date and location will be emailed to each finalist.

The five successful applicants will then pitch their business idea against the competition criteria. Following all five pitches, the judging panel will select one overall winner.

Launchpad is designed to give you the knowledge, tools, and practical guidance you need to take your business idea from concept to action. Throughout the event, you’ll gain the insight needed to develop your idea, understand the key elements of building a business, and create a strong, pitch-ready business plan.

By the end of Launchpad, you’ll have the tools, clarity, confidence, and practical foundations to put your idea into action — and, if selected, the opportunity to take it to the final pitch competition.