Location
Must be headquartered or fundamentally operating within the East Midlands.
19 November 2026 · Leicester
HER Pitch
A high-impact pitch competition empowering the next generation of female founders from the East Midlands. Win an exclusive business growth package!
Proudly supported by
We're searching for the East Midlands' most promising female founders to pitch for an exclusive business growth package. Whether you're ready to secure one of 5 finalist competition slots or grab a 2-minute open mic slot, TechEM and Leicester Startups are giving your business the platform, audience, and backing it deserves. Applications are now open.
How to apply→The event.
Join us at Canopy in Leicester for an action-packed showcase featuring five high-growth startup pitches, a rapid-fire open mic, and our signature friction-free networking. Whether you're ready to take the stage or looking to back the next big idea, this is your platform.
Selected applicants will pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience at Canopy in Leicester. Pitches will be 5 minutes long, with 4 minutes of Q&A.
- Date
- 19 November 2026
- Time
- 18:00 – 21:00
- Venue
- Canopy, 41 King Street, Leicester
- Cost
- Entirely free
Interactive networking
Networking without the awkwardness. Use our physical 'Asks & Offers' board during the event to post what your business needs ('I Need…') or what expertise you bring ('I Can Offer…'). Connect effortlessly over drinks in an unstructured, low-stakes environment.
Key dates.
- Step 117 AugustPitch competition applications open
- Step 214 SeptemberApplications close
- Step 32 OctoberFinalists selected
- Step 419 NovemberPitching competition
How to apply.
To apply, you must meet this criteria:
Funding stage
Grassroots & early-stage enterprises. Pre-revenue & early revenue welcome!
Female-led
Must be a female-led, female-founded or female-centred business (incl. trans and non-binary identities).
Find out more about our application process in the application guide.
Apply now→The pitch format
Pitch slots will be around ten minutes long:
5-minute pitch
You'll have a hard limit of 5 minutes to present your vision. Timers are strictly enforced — at the 5-minute mark, your screen and mic will transition to keep the event running smoothly. Practice your timing beforehand.
4-minute judge Q&A
Immediately following your pitch, our panel of expert judges will ask follow-up questions to dig deeper into your traction, market opportunity, or business model.
You will be required to submit your slide deck prior to the event to allow time for testing. All decks will be merged into a single master deck, controlled via a clicker. You must submit your slides by the communicated deadline, so ensure you have your finalised slides well in advance.
What to cover in your pitch
If you're unsure what to cover, this is our guidance:
The problem
What specific pain point are you solving, and for whom?
Your solution & product
How does your business solve this? Show us the tech or product in action.
Market opportunity
How big is the market, and who is your target customer?
Traction & validation
Early sales, waitlists, pilot programmes, or key milestones achieved so far.
The business model
How do you (or will you) make money?
The team
Why are you and your team the right people to execute this?
The ask
What does your business need next (funding, pilot partners, key hires, advice)?
The prize
All finalists will receive an exclusive support package featuring professional services — marketing, accountancy, and strategic advisory — to accelerate your business growth. Plus the opportunity to pitch to investors actively backing innovative businesses in the East Midlands.
Sign up to the Open Mic.
Not ready for a full pitch? Maybe you're testing ideas or aren't quite the right fit for our competition. Sign up for an Open Mic slot!
Open Mic pitches are rapid-fire, capped at 2 minutes with no Q&A. There is no prize, however participation may earn you some attention in the room. Open Mic slots are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
The judging panel.
Announcing our panel of top regional investors, civic leaders, and ecosystem champions soon.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I/we have to be located in the East Midlands?
Your business must be either located in the East Midlands, or have strong operational ties to the region. For example, your customers may be East Midlands-based. Please get in contact for information more specific to your circumstance.
I'm trans/non-binary/genderqueer, can I apply?
Yes, absolutely! We are a gender-affirming event.
I'd like to enter but I don't have pitching experience. Is that okay?
You don't need pitching experience to enter. We can point you in the right direction for training and resources. If you're not sure you're ready for the full competition, consider entering our open mic stage.
I don't want to enter the competition, can I pitch anyway?
Yes! This is what the Open Mic is all about. Sign-ups open once the main competition application has been closed. Spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
I'm male but my cofounder(s) is/are female, can I enter?
Yes, as long as at least 50% of your founders are female.
Can I apply if I only have an idea and haven't launched yet?
Yes, you're more than welcome to apply. We do take traction into consideration when selecting finalist pitches, but this is not the only metric for selection.
Are there any industry restrictions (e.g. tech, retail, social enterprise, or others)?
No. Any business in any industry is welcome to apply.
Can someone else pitch on behalf of my business?
As long as they're a founder. Please let us know if someone will be pitching on your behalf.
Can more than one of us present our pitch?
Only one person can present each pitch.
What is the dress code?
While we're not enforcing a strict dress code, we'd ask you to dress respectfully and remember your audience.
Can I get a video recording of my talk after the event?
We're hoping to record talks, although this will be confirmed closer to the event itself.
Can I apply if I've entered another pitch competition?
Yes, as long as the final isn't the same night!
What if I change my mind about pitching last-minute?
We'll be in contact with you every step of the way, so we're hoping there won't be any last-minute changes of heart. But if you find yourself unable to pitch on the night, that's okay. Please let us know ASAP so we can give your space to someone else.