Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition 2025: Meet the final judging panel

The finalists in this year’s Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition, delivered by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, will have the opportunity to pitch to three respected investment experts.

The second annual competition, designed to showcase the region’s best women-led SMEs and start-ups, is delivered in partnership with NatWest and the British Business Bank.

The deadline for female founders and entrepreneurs to enter the competition is 30 September.

Up to five entrants will be chosen to pitch in front of an expert judging panel at an event in Birmingham on 13 November.

After listening to the finalists’ pitches, the judging panel will choose their ‘one to watch’.

This year’s judges are:

• Jordan Dargue, founding director at Dargue Associates/co-founder Lifted Ventures 
• Sandy Reid, fund principal at Mercia Ventures
• Mabs Ali, strategic partnership manager and national head of tech at RBC Brewin Dolphin

Jordan Dargue (pictured), is a founder, senior executive, non-executive director and seasoned investment expert.

She is the co-founder of Lifted Ventures, which exists to increase the flow of early-stage capital to female founders and promote the significant business benefits of backing women.

Previously, Jordan was co-leader and board director of multi-award winning NorthInvest.

In 2020 she co-founded Fund Her North and Women Angels of the North, a collective of women investors who support female founders to get equal access to finance.

Speaking about her role as a judge, Jordan says she is on the lookout for a founder or founding team with a “well thought-out strategy” for growing their business.

She said: “Investment readiness and access to finance education for female founders is a key enabler, helping to close the gender funding and investment gap.   

“Adequately supporting these women will help to open up opportunities for these early-stage businesses to feel confident and equipped to approach both national and international investors.   

“In order for a business to stand out to me as an investment prospect, I will be looking for a well-articulated unique value proposition, demonstrating a deep understanding of the target market.

“I'm looking for a knowledgeable founder or founding team, who has a well thought-out strategy for growing their business.”

Sandy Reid has broad investment experience across different sectors, stages and geographies.

As fund principal for the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II for the East and South East Midlands, she is responsible for delivery and performance across the East Midlands.

She also has a broader role across Mercia Ventures, including as a member of Investment Committee.

Prior to joining Mercia, Sandy held a number of positions ranging from CEO of a VC backed business to corporate R&D.

Sandy is challenging finalists to deliver a “brilliant idea that has the potential to conquer a global market”.

She said: “Prior to being a VC (venture capitalist), I was a female founder of a VC-backed business so I appreciate how hard it is to get your business noticed by investors.

“Pitching competitions like this give a platform to great businesses we might not see otherwise and make it easier for investors to see multiple businesses in one place. 

“As an investor I’m looking for a well-rounded and credible management team with a brilliant idea that has the potential to conquer a global market.” 

Mabs Ali is a strategic partnership manager at wealth management firm RBC Brewin Dolphin with over 20 years of experience in professional services.

He leads on RBC Brewin Dolphin’s national tech initiative which involves supporting fast growth businesses from start-up right through to when they exit.

Having been involved in his own family business from an early age, Mabs has a strong focus around working with entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses.

He has built an extensive network of contacts which he uses to help facilitate collaboration and mutually beneficial introductions. 

Mabs said: “At RBC Brewin Dolphin we believe having a solid financial plan is an essential part of being a successful entrepreneur.

“We’ve worked with thousands of business owners, helping them to gain clarity over their financial future and supporting them in making the right decisions.”

Find out more information about the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition.