Pitch Up 2026
The established premier pitching competition of the West Midlands is back. The 2026 Pitch Up competition will provide the opportunity for ambitious business leaders to improve their ability to win investment while simultaneously boosting their business's profile.
For the first time in the history of Pitch Up, we are thrilled to announce an unprecedented prize package designed to supercharge your business growth and investment readiness.
What’s on Offer?
Winner’s Package:
- Best Pitch Award – recognition as the standout innovator.
- £15,000 Cash Prize – invest in what your business needs most to thrive.
- Mentoring Support (worth £1,500) – expert guidance to prepare for investment and maximise the impact of your prize.
- Golden Ticket to Minerva Business Angels – direct access to one of the UK’s leading angel networks.
- Exclusive Winners’ Lunch – network with business experts and connect with the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Two Runners-Up:
- £1,000 Cash Prize – a boost to accelerate your plans.
- Mentoring Support (worth £1,500) – tailored advice to strengthen your growth strategy.
- Exclusive Winners’ Lunch – network with business experts and connect with the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Why this Year (2026) is Special
This year’s prize fund has been made possible through Venturefest WM funds and a significant contribution from Emeritus Professor Mark Hart, the first-ever Professor of Entrepreneurship at Aston University.
Why Enter Pitch Up?
- Gain visibility and credibility with investors.
- Access support to sharpen your investment proposition.
- Join a community of innovators driving regional growth.
- Compete for transformational cash prizes and strategic support.
This is your chance to pitch, impress, and accelerate your business journey.
How it works:
Eligibility criteria applies. The competition begins with the application, complete the form and upload your 5 slide pitch deck and 90 second video by selecting the Apply button below.
Applicants will be shortlisted and a maximum of 20 will be invited to the Judging round. Where applicants will pitch in-person to a panel of investors, receiving valuable feedback on your presentation on either 27th Jan, 5th or 9th Feb.
Then comes the public final, hosted at Venturefest West Midlands, where the best business pitches compete in front of a live audience of investors and entrepreneurs to win the Best Pitch Award and plus the other prizes.
The Final
The live final will be held at Venturefest West Midlands taking place in Wolverhampton on 10th March 2026.
Helpful Documents
Top Tips for Success Doc
Pitch Deck Guidelines
Your Data
Your data will be collected and treated confidentially. In order to process your application and for the purpose of delivery, management and evaluations for the Pitch Up competition, your data is being collected and will be shared with our delivery partners, sponsors and stakeholders. Participation to Pitch Up is voluntary. Please read our privacy statement. By applying to the competition you agree to this.
Minerva Privacy Statement
Contact
Should you have any questions or wish to withdraw your application, please contact Aston Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship acee@aston.ac.uk
For more information about the programme, please visit here.