Showcasing some of the best female-led start-ups and SME's
Join the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, NatWest and British Business Bank for the Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition.
This event will aim to showcase some of the best female-led start-ups and SME’s pitching their ideas live to an investor panel and room of investors, including Mercia Asset Management, Midven and SFC Capital.
As well as being able to directly pitch their business to funds actively looking to invest in businesses in the region, one business will be named as the panel’s “One to Watch” and winner of the competition.
In addition to observing live pitches, attendees will also learn what investors really look for when investing in new companies. Following the competition there will be a networking session with angel investors and VCs in attendance. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and interact with fellow entrepreneurs and investors in an engaging format.
To qualify to pitch to the panel, businesses must be female founded or co-founded and demonstrate clear growth potential. Submissions have now closed.
According to The Gender Index, just 13% of West Midlands based companies receiving angel investment and 2.5% of those receiving VC investment so far this year, are female-led.
The Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition is delivered in partnership with the NatWest West Midlands Women in Business Taskforce: a meeting of collaborators to discuss, design and then deliver tangible outputs to ‘move the dial’ on blockers and challenges currently facing female founders in our region.
Attend for:
- Support the region’s leading start-ups and women business leaders
- Learn what investors really look for when investing in new companies
- Network with competitors, delegates, angel investors and VCs
Aimed at:
- Ambitious women led enterprises
- Investors and VCs
- Those with an interest in supporting, and ability to support, female entrepreneurship and business growth
Meet the panel of investors:
- Hannah Tapsell Chapman, Mercia Asset Management
- Elizabeth Hobster, Midven
Apply to pitch:
If you are a woman leading an ambitious start-up or SME based in the West Midlands you can apply to pitch by completing this form here by no later than the 10th November.
Our event partners:
- The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
The Chamber are here to unleash the potential of Greater Birmingham’s businesses. Whether it’s connections with our extensive network, inspiring events that spark new ideas, expert led services, regional insight, or opportunities to build and raise their profile, we’re here to give local business the tools to reach their full potential. Join the GBCC today to become part of a vibrant community of forward-thinking organisations, that are proud to be shaping the future of Greater Birmingham - together.
- NatWest West Midlands Women in Business Taskforce
In 2020 NatWest released the Springboard to Recovery Report, which included a commitment to establish regional taskforces to support growth across the UK.
The aim of the regional taskforces is to work in collaboration with local and regional partners to identify ways to stimulate a strong and sustainable SME recovery in the post covid-19 economy. The taskforce works collaboratively to provide SMEs with information and support required from all members to help transform and grow businesses. It can also act as a vehicle to align policy asks on the ground from SMEs are reflected in conversations at a national level by feeding into the National Taskforce.
- The British Business Bank
The British Business Bank is government-owned but independently managed. We are the UK’s economic development bank and we are here to help your business find a way, with free financial tools and expert information. We’re experts in small business finance and we work with a broad range of partners to help businesses like yours.
Drinks and light refreshments will be available at the venue.
Please note: by applying for a place to attend, you accept that your details will be shared with NatWest for reporting purposes only.
All genders are welcome to register their interest to attend.
Due to capacity constraints, we cannot guarantee a place at this event and will confirm to those who have secured a place week commencing 13th November.
Event Sponsors
