SCALE: Shaping the scaleup success stories of the future

The event will take place at the Business Design Centre, in partnership with City AM. Ambitious UK founders will take to the stage and pitch live to angel and VC investors. 

Alongside the opportunity to connect with potential investors, two winners will walk away with a package of scale-up support from SCALE Ventures and its partners, including strategic coaching sessions worth £3,000. 

SCALE has assembled an expert judging panel committed to championing diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship, including Xavier Ballester, Director of Brokerage at Angel Investment Network.

Ballester said: “Diverse founders bring unique perspectives and solutions, driving meaningful change across industries. Investors in our network understand that diversity is not just a ‘nice to have’, it is a competitive advantage. Opportunities like SCALE EXPO & SUMMIT are important for building a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Day 1 of SCALE EXPO puts female founders in the spotlight, with a judging panel headed by former small business commissioner, Liz Barclay.

Barclay said she is “looking forward to hearing about the purpose behind the businesses, the stories and the ambitions,” adding; “Investors know that supporting diverse founders adds not just billions to the economy but billions worth of social impact on top. We need a diverse range of founders to be successful for the benefit of their local areas and the communities they root their businesses in.”

Liz Barclay will be joined by fellow judges:

• Xavier Ballester, Director of Brokerage at Angel Investment Network
• Ayesha Ofori, founder of the women’s investment platform Propelle
• Andrew B Morris, serial investor and Chair of SCALE Ventures
• Sapna Shah, Venture Partner and syndicate lead at Sie Ventures  

On Day 2 of SCALE EXPO, founders from underrepresented communities will be given the chance to impress a panel of judges led by Dwain Reid, a business growth coach and former government adviser who leads the Cap Table Pitch Competition for Forbes Family Group. 

According to Reid: “This is much more than a pitch event, it’s a platform for underrepresented and often underserved founders to get the visibility they deserve. I’ll be looking for founders who can clearly define the problem they’re solving, show signs of traction or validation, and demonstrate commercial credibility. I’d encourage investors to lean in early – this is where the next standout businesses are hiding in plain sight.”

Dwain Reid will be joined by fellow judges:

• Founder and investor Warren Johnson, founder of W Communications
• Ryan Panchoo, founder of the doughnut brand Borough 22 
• Reshma Sheikh, Managing Director at Minority Supplier Development UK (MSDUK)
• Xavier Ballester, Director of Brokerage at Angel Investment Network  

Each judge will share their mission and explain how they’re backing diverse founders to shape the scaleup success stories of the future. Founders will then step up for fast‑fire pitches and get practical feedback to fuel their next stage of growth. The winners of both rounds (female founders on 22 April, underrepresented founders on 23 April) will be announced on the same day, during SCALE EXPO & SUMMIT.

Sam North, Co-founder and CEO of SCALE said:“This is where ambition meets opportunity. Through SCALE, founders get unparalleled access to angel and VC investors, but they also get practical feedback and support. It’s a chance to test their ideas, sharpen their strategy and gain honest insight from people who have built, backed and scaled successful companies.”

A final word goes to Andrew B. Morris, serial investor and Chairman of SCALE Ventures. He said:“It’s strength of character that really gets my attention. Of course I’ll be looking for a clear problem being solved, a scalable model and an understanding of the market. But ultimately, I’m investing in people. I want to back a diverse mix of founders who are coachable and have the determination to turn their idea into a sustainable business.”

Applications are now open for female, non-binary and underrepresented founders who want leave the stage at SCALE EXPO with clearer next steps, stronger networks and the confidence to take their businesses further. SCALE has partnered with SmplCo to provide a free Pitch Prep Pack for founders.

Apply now to pitch at SCALE EXPO

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