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Rising Stars

The UK’s largest prize pitch competition for B2B startups with £3 million worth of investment up for grabs!

Rising Stars returns with £3 million up for grabs regionally and nationally for the UK’s most innovative early-stage startups

Brought to you by: Founders Forum Group and OnetoWin 

In Partnership With

AWS

This year, the Tech Nation Rising Stars programme is merging with the OnetoWin competition, to re-launch the ultimate pitch competition for innovative early-stage tech startups with £3,000,000 on offer across the regional and national levels.

This exciting competition offers early-stage tech startups an invaluable platform to pitch their innovations at the regional and national levels, boosting visibility and attracting customers, partners, and investors.

Grand Finalists will have the chance to showcase their businesses on the prestigious London Tech Week stage, competing for the opportunity to win £1,000,000 in investment and a range of ‘money-can’t-buy’ opportunities designed to propel their business forward.

The Regional Finals are here!

Our Regional Final will take place across the UK from the 14th April – 8th May. 

Register now for a Regional Final near you! 

📍  London – 15th April

📍  Midlands – 24th April

📍  North of England – 30th April

📍  Wales & South West – 1st May

📍  East of England – 6th May

📍  Scotland & Northern Ireland – 8th May

Join some of the world’s most successful tech entrepreneurs as one of Founders Forum Group’s Rising Stars

What’s in it for your startup?

Rising Stars offers you:
💸 Game-changing Investment

Compete for the chance to win £335,000 at the regional level and £1,000,000 at the national level. Subject to diligence and binding agreements.

🌟 Unparalleled Exposure

Showcase your innovation on a local, regional, and national scale, whilst boosting your brand and attracting potential customers, partners, and investors.

🙏 Tailored Support

Refine your business strategy and pitch capabilities with insights from experienced investors and industry experts.

📅 Networking with Influential Stakeholders

Build connections that lead to potential funding, strategic partnerships, and a supportive network.

🌎 Global Recognition

Finalists will pitch to over 1000 attendees on the Founders stage at London Tech Week – a global celebration of tech, uniting the most innovative thinkers and tech talent.

Meet the judges

Marcia Kilgore

Founder, Beauty Pie

Steve Rigby

Co-Chief Executive Officer, Rigby Group

Fred Soneya

Co-Founder & General Partner, Haatch

How it works

This year, we’re expanding the prize to include two tracks for startups across various stages:

1️⃣ Emerging Stars:

Pre-seed or seed-stage startups will compete for one of six opportunities to win the haatch regional Prizes of £335,000 in investment and the chance to showcase their business at London tech Week.

2️⃣ OnetoWin Rising Stars:

Pre-Series A to Series A startups competing to qualify for a place in the Grand Final at London Tech Week with the opportunity to win £1,000,000 in investment.

Emerging Stars OnetoWin Rising Stars

Supported by our ecosystem partners

People’s Choice Award

📱 Your startup’s journey isn’t just about the pitch – it’s about rallying your community, sparking conversations, and leaving a lasting impression. 

🎥 As part of your application to Rising Stars, you will need to submit a 2-minute video pitch. This pitch will not only help us assess your startup but also determine your eligibility for the People’s Choice Award, where the tech community votes for their favorite Rising Star to fast-track to the finals. This is your chance to demonstrate the power of your startup’s community and claim a distinctive spot in Rising Stars history.

♥️ The more buzz, likes, shares, and comments your pitch receives, the stronger your candidacy for the People’s Choice Award. The winner will be chosen based on a combination of the quality of their virtual pitch and the impact generated on social media. 

FAQs

Do startups need to be SEIS/EIS registered to participate?

Yes, startups must confirm they are either currently SEIS/EIS registered (SEIS for Emerging Stars, EIS for Rising Stars OneToWin) or are in the process of securing this. Startups must be fully registered by the end of the semi-final judging period on 24th March 2025, giving founders approximately 9 weeks to secure their SEIS/EIS status. If you’re unclear about whether you’re eligible for SEIS/EIS watch this video.

Can startups from all regions and nations of the UK apply?

Yes, Rising Stars is open to startups from all regions and nations of the UK.

Is in-person attendance to Semi-Finals and the Grand Final mandatory for shortlisted startups? Who from the team should be in attendance?

Yes, in-person attendance is mandatory for shortlisted startups, as these are live events with live judging panels. The Founder should be the one pitching at these events.

Can the Founder and/or investors opt out if terms can’t be agreed?

The investment is subject to due diligence and a formal agreement. If the terms cannot be mutually agreed upon, both the founder and investors have the option to step away from the arrangement.

What are the investment terms?

The investment terms are designed to be founder friendly terms (based on BVCA market terms as adjusted for the stage of investment). The terms will be negotiated by the Founder and investors directly.

Are B2B2C companies eligible, or is Rising Stars exclusively for B2B companies?

B2B2C companies are eligible if their revenue is primarily generated through B2B transactions or channels.

When will the investment funds be received?

The time it takes to complete an investment round varies depending on a number of factors including the Founder’s availability to complete due diligence and negotiate the formal agreement as well as if, and how many, other investors are investing at the same time. The target investment completion date will be end of September 2025 for both the Emerging Stars and OneToWin Rising Stars tracks.

How will the company valuation be determined for the investment prize?

The valuation will be determined by the investors, following their standard practices. Investors will subscribe for shares in the company, subject to a successful pitch and investor interest.

Is there a guaranteed offer or binding proposal for the Rising Stars winners?

No, these terms are a preliminary indication of interest. The investment is subject to successful business, financial, and legal due diligence, as well as the negotiation and execution of mutually agreeable investment documents.

Who are the investors?

The investors for Emerging Stars track are expected to be Haatch and British Business Investments. The investors for OnetoWin Rising Stars track are expected to be a combination of Haatch, Rigby Group and Wealth Club.

My startup has less than £200K worth of SEIS allocation available. Am I still eligible to apply?

While the £200K allocation is a guideline, applicants within a reasonable margin of this amount may still be considered. Final eligibility will be at the discretion of the investors based on the strength of your application and alignment with the competition’s criteria. If you’re unsure, we recommend submitting your application and highlighting your remaining allocation.

Who can apply?

Emerging Stars track:

✨ Headquartered in the UK

✨ Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) eligible with a minimum of £200,000 allocation available

✨ B2B or B2B2C

✨ Technology / digital sector

OnetoWin track:

🌟 UK-headquartered businesses or UK-operating businesses that are incorporated in other jurisdictions

🌟 Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) eligible with £1,000,000 allocation available

🌟 B2B or B2B2C

🌟 Technology / digital sector

🌟 Minimum of £200,000 in annual recurring revenue