Ebury team up with Aston Villa to unearth Birmingham’s next entrepreneurial stars

Fintech firm Ebury have joined forces with Aston Villa to find Birmingham’s next big entrepreneurial success stories – with a £30,000 prize up for grabs.

Aspiring entrepreneurs from across the city are being invited to showcase their early-stage business ideas in a competition branded ‘The Lion’s Den’.

The best ideas will be shortlisted and invited to pitch to a panel made up of three Villa first-team stars plus an independent judge.

One or more winners will receive a cash prize and mentorship support.

Phil Monkhouse, UK country manager at Ebury, said: “Opening our office in Birmingham wasn't just about a new location - it was a strategic investment in the city’s unparalleled talent and its reputation as the UK's engine room for innovation.

“Part of our rationale for partnering with Aston Villa, was our commitment to playing an active role in Birmingham’s thriving business community.

“We are leveraging this partnership to support the city’s most ambitious entrepreneurs, providing vital funding and visibility needed to scale.

“Whether you’re at the concept stage or looking to take an infant business to the next level, we want to hear your story... and we’ve teamed up with some of the Villa first team to help us find the city’s next big success story."

Entries for the competition are now open and the closing date is 11.59pm on 13 April.

To enter, aspiring entrepreneurs must email competitions@ebury.com with their name, background information, business idea (or planned business) and details of how they would use the prize funding.

Entries will be judged based on creativity, feasibility and potential impact.

Read the competition’s full terms and conditions.

Ebury is a global Fintech firm specialising in international payments and foreign exchange risk management.

Last year, the company launched its Birmingham office in 103 Colmore Row, strengthening its ties with the city after agreeing to become Villa’s official foreign exchange partner on a three-year deal.