Chamber pitch competition showcasing women-led firms returns for fourth year

The search has begun for the West Midlands’ next big female-led business – with the return of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s annual Women Entrepreneurs Pitch.

Women-led firms from across the region are being invited to apply for the initiative – run by the GBCC in partnership with NatWest – which has previously crowed the creators of mental health plush toys, a surgical safety device and a seaweed-based sustainable material as its winners.

Applications for the competition open tomorrow (Tuesday 25 August) and close on Wednesday 30 September.

A shortlist of finalists will then be invited to pitch to a panel of expert judges at a live final in Birmingham city centre on Wednesday 11 November, with the venue to be confirmed.

Now in its fourth year, the competition is designed to showcase the best of the region's women-led SMEs and start-ups while helping to address barriers to growth, including access to investment and networks.

Since launching in 2023, the competition has attracted entrants working across a wide range of sectors – from health and wellbeing, medtech and biotech to sustainable fashion, music technology and ethical cosmetics manufacturing.

Previous winners include The Calmness Crew, which makes mental health plush toys for children, medtech firm iCount, which has developed an AI-enabled device to prevent surgical swabs being left in the body, and biotech company SymbioTex, which produces sustainable, seaweed-based materials for medical devices and cosmetic packaging.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Too many talented women founders still face barriers when it comes to accessing the investment and networks they need to grow.

“This competition is about helping to change that by creating opportunities for some of the region's most exciting entrepreneurs to connect with investors, advisers and supporters who can help them take the next step.”

“Over the past three years we've seen an incredible range of businesses come through the programme, from AI-enabled healthcare technology and wellbeing products to sustainable fashion platforms and seaweed-based bioplastics.

“That diversity is a powerful reminder of the depth of talent, innovation and ambition that exists among women-led businesses across the West Midlands.

“We're proud to play a role in championing these founders, raising their profile and helping them access the connections that can turn great ideas into successful, growing businesses.”

Harinder Kunor, accelerator community manager at NatWest, said: “We are incredibly excited about this year's Women Entrepreneurs Pitch competition and are very much looking forward to hearing from some amazing women entrepreneurs from across the region.

“Helping women-led businesses to scale and succeed is critical to harnessing long-term, sustainable growth in the local and national economies, and we welcome the opportunity to work with leaders in our local ecosystem to support female-led businesses in securing investment.

“Register to join our community app today and unlock the resources, support and opportunities that will take your business to the next level.”

Full details of how to apply are available via the Chamber website.

Pictured: 2025 winner Fran Williams of The Calmness Crew