150

£5k

Live

participants

supported

pitching session to JPMorganChase

grant for the

programme winners

years empowering investment‑ready businesses

Founders Forward Perfect Pitch

The Founders Forward programme is returning for its fourth year. Are you our next ambitious founder ready to transform your investment journey?

The programme helps founders deliver sharper and more compelling business pitches, prepare a robust investment case and build their pitching confidence. You will accelerate your readiness for real investor conversations, benefit from personalised expert guidance and walk away with practical insights.

This is your chance to pitch live to a room of JPMorganChase team members and receive informed, constructive feedback to refine your approach, strengthen your message and increase your chances of making a lasting impression. The strongest pitches will be invited to present to JPMorganChase senior executives, and the winners will receive bespoke advice and a £5,000 grant to help them on their investment journey.

"This programme has been nothing short of transformational. From the moment I stepped into that first session, I felt an energy that encouraged every founder to stretch beyond their comfort zone and truly put themselves out there."

Sarah Najjuma

CEO, Discover Diaspora

Your investment journey: key dates

Key dates

Cohort one

This cohort will take place in October and November 2026, and is ideal for founders preparing for investment conversations.

Monday 28 September - Friday 2 October

One-to-one sessions (virtual)

1

Thursday 8 October

Workshop one (in person, London)

2

Apply now

Tuesday 27 October

Workshop two (in person, London)

3

Friday 13 November

Speed pitching session (in person, London)

4

Monday 23 November

Final pitching session (in person, London - for finalists only)

5 Programme journey

4 | Speed Pitching Session

6 | Winners Announced

1 | Adviser Session

2 | Workshop One

3 | Workshop Two

5 | Final Pitching Session

The eight finalists will showcase their final pitch to a panel of JPMorganChase senior executives, for a chance to win a £5k grant and additional support.

Three of the finalists will be selected as programme winners and will receive a £5k grant and further pro-bono support.

Participate in roundtable discussions and present your pitch live to JPMorganChase for feedback. The eight strongest pitches will be selected as finalists.

Work with a Newable Advice Investment Adviser to review your business goals and pitch deck. They will support you throughout the programme.

Refine your pitch and finance readiness by developing and improving your pitch deck, value proposition and pitching skills.

Overcome the common barriers in pitching and seeking funding, empowering you with actionable next steps in your investment growth journey.

Are you eligible to apply for the programme?

To be considered for this programme, you must be:

Trading for up to three years OR aiming for early traction with a functional MVP

Planning to raise up to £250k in the next 24 months

Ideally generating between £50k-£300k in turnover

A London-based business, or within a 2-hour commutable distance from London

A limited company (co-founders and established teams encouraged)

Willing to participate in all mandatory elements of the programme

My refined pitch deck and storytelling directly led to an expanded trial listing opportunity with a major UK retailer, reflecting stronger retailer and investor engagement.

There has been initiating conversations and interest from a retailer and major contract caterer, marking a significant breakthrough for my direct-to-consumer and retail presence.

I hosted my first ever event, The Crown Collective and have received interest from retailers who are eager to stock my product range, indicating a promising expansion for MaOma.

Nikki Garg - Co-founder and CEO

KWERKY

Ifeoma Ekwobi - Founder

MaOma Cosmetics

Fan Yang - Founder

Other Foods

Read the success story here >

Submit your application

Cohort one

Apply here

Apply by 17:00 on Friday 18 September 2026

All submissions will be reviewed to identify the most suitable 30 founders to participate.

Have a question?

To find out more about the programme, please contact the team at businessevents@newable.co.uk.

This programme is planned and delivered by Newable Advice, on behalf of JPMorganChase.