• Image-134
  • Image-142
  • Pitch Up 2026

    We're delighted that the established premier pitching competition of the West Midlands is back. This year (2026 competition ) there's a £10,000 first prize up for grabs, plus more brilliant prizes yet to be confirmed!

    The Pitch Up competition will provide the opportunity for ambitious businesses to improve your ability to win investment while simultaneously boosting your business's profile.

    The competition begins with pitch preparation, helping to refine your investment pitch. Judging rounds follow, where you pitch directly to a panel of investors, receiving valuable feedback on your presentation. Then comes the public final, hosted at Venturefest West Midlands (10th March 2026), where the best business pitches compete in front of a live audience of investors and entrepreneurs to win the Best Pitch Award and cash prize.

    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.  

  • Eligibility Criteria

    In order to be able to provide the best support we ask that applicants are based in East or West Midlands, are looking for UP TO £500,000 investment and have some sort of commercial traction already. Please confirm this below.



  • SECTION 1

  • SECTION 2


  • SECTION 3

  • Browse Files
    Cancelof
  • Browse Files
    Cancelof
  • By submitting this application I understand that if shortlisted I am required to attend a panel session where I will deliver my 7 minute (max) pitch to a small panel. If successfull at the panel I can attend Venturefest WM taking place on 10th March 2025 in Wolverhampton.

     

    I also understand:

    • No NDAs can be signed by the shortlisting panel.
    • My pitch will be in front of an audience at the final event.
    • I have read and understand the privacy policy.
  • Should be Empty: