2027 Business challenge
Pitch your business for a £2,500 grant.
Once you have purchased your ticket for Sunday 24 January 2027, download the pitch competition application form below, complete it and email it back to us by Sunday 27 December 2026 — four weeks before the event. The five finalists are announced live at Launchpad on 24 January 2027 and pitch their business that same day, with the winner of the £2,500 grant chosen that day.
Every finalist receives
- Mentoring
- Business planning guidance
- Pitch coaching
Judging criteria
- Innovation
- Market demand
- Financial viability
- Sustainability
- Confidence
- Execution
Grand prize
The winning entrepreneur receives
- £2,500 business grant
- Mentoring
- Publicity
- Introductions to business professionals
- Continued support through the Midlands Female Founders community
Ready to pitch?
Once you have your ticket, download the pitch competition application form, complete it and email it back to us with your ticket reference by Sunday 27 December 2026. The five finalists are announced live at the event on Sunday 24 January 2027, pitch their business that same day, and the winner of the £2,500 grant is chosen that day.
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.
Email your completed form to hello@femalefounderslaunchpad.co.uk
How the selection and pitch process works
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). Applications will be reviewed ahead of the event, and on Sunday 24 January 2027 at the Park Hall Hotel & Spa, Wolverhampton, the five finalists will be announced live at Launchpad. Everything happens on one day — the finalists are chosen and they pitch at the event itself.
The five finalists will then pitch their business idea live at the event against the competition criteria. Following all five pitches, the judging panel will select one overall winner on Sunday 24 January 2027 — that same day.
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 strengthen your business plan.
By the end of Launchpad, you’ll have the tools, clarity, confidence, and practical foundations to put your idea into action. The five finalists will also have pitched live, with the grant winner chosen during the event.