Pitch'd or Ditch'd Live on 25 November: What to Expect on the Day

On Wednesday 25 November 2026, The Legacy Bench takes Pitch'd or Ditch'd out of the studio and onto a live stage at the University of Manchester Students' Union. The afternoon runs from 12:00 to 4:00pm, it's free to attend, and we're expecting around 250 entrepreneurs, students, creators, small business owners and investors in the room.

If you've watched Pitch'd or Ditch'd on our channel, you'll know the idea: founders stand up, pitch their business, and the people on the bench decide whether they're in or out. This time it happens live, in front of a full room, and the whole thing is filmed for our channels.

The essentials

• What: Pitch'd or Ditch'd Live — Manchester Entrepreneurs, Business Networking & Pitching Event

• When: Wednesday 25 November 2026, 12:00–4:00pm

• Where: University of Manchester Students' Union, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PR

• Cost: Free — register for your free ticket on Eventbrite

What happens on the day

Live founder pitches

Founders take the stage one at a time and pitch their business to our judges and the investors on the bench. The bench asks the questions an investor or customer would ask, and every founder gets honest feedback in front of the room. Investors on the bench can choose to make an offer of up to £10,000 in exchange for equity, live on camera — and founders are free to accept, negotiate or say no.

A panel discussion

Alongside the pitches there's a panel discussion with business people sharing practical insight on building and growing a business — the kind of honest conversation you'll recognise from The Legacy Bench.

Networking

A big part of the afternoon is simply the room. You'll be sharing it with people starting out, people scaling, people looking to invest and people looking for their next collaborator. Bring business cards, bring your questions, and come ready to talk.

Filmed for The Legacy Bench

The pitches are filmed and will be published on The Legacy Bench channels, so the conversations on the day reach far more people than the room itself.

Want to pitch?

Pitching is free and places on stage are limited. If you're a founder with a business you'd like to put in front of investors, apply to pitch here — it takes about three minutes, and we'll be in touch to confirm your slot and send a short brief on what to prepare.

Catch up before the day

New to the format? Watch our studio editions to get a feel for how it works:

• 6 Entrepreneurs Pitch for £5,000 — But Would You Invest? | Pitch'd or Ditch'd

• 6 Entrepreneurs Pitch for £5,000 — But Who Gets the Money? | Pitch'd or Ditch'd

You can read more about both studio editions on our Stories page: Would You Have Invested? and Six Founders, £5,000 on the Table.

We'll see you at the Students' Union on the 25th. Grab your free ticket now.