Events
Call for Pitchers: Pitch Your Business Live at Pitch'd or Ditch'd on 25 November
10 November 2026 · 2 min read
We're looking for founders to take the stage at Pitch'd or Ditch'd Live — on Wednesday 25 November 2026 at the University of Manchester Students' Union, in front of a room of around 250 entrepreneurs, students and investors. If you've got a business you believe in, this is your moment to put it in front of people who can help it grow.
Apply to pitch here — the form takes about three minutes.
How it works
You pitch live to our judges and the investors on the bench.
The bench asks questions and gives you honest, practical feedback in front of the room.
Investors can make an offer of up to £10,000 in exchange for equity, live on camera.
Your pitch is filmed and published on The Legacy Bench channels.
What's at stake — and what isn't
It's worth being clear about how the investment side works, because it's one of the questions we're asked most:
It isn't a prize fund. Each investor on the bench can choose to make an offer of up to £10,000 to a founder whose pitch they like. Several founders could receive offers — or none.
It's equity. An investor who makes an offer proposes an amount in exchange for a stake in your business. The amount and stake depend on your stage.
Nothing is fixed in advance. Offers are made and negotiated live.
You're in control. You're completely free to accept, negotiate or turn an offer down, with no penalty either way.
Offers aren't guaranteed. They depend on an investor wanting to back your business.
Is there a cost?
No. Pitching is free — there's no participation fee. We don't cover travel, but the exposure is real: your pitch goes out on our YouTube and social channels, and we work with partners who offer free services to the founders who take part.
Who should apply?
Founders at any stage with a real business or a serious idea — whether you're a student building something on the side, a small business owner ready for the next step, or a start-up looking for its first backer. If you can explain what you do, who it's for and why it matters, we want to hear from you.
The details
Date: Wednesday 25 November 2026, 12:00–4:00pm
Venue: University of Manchester Students' Union, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PR
Apply to pitch: tally.so/r/Bzvoo1
Just want to watch and network? Register for a free ticket on Eventbrite
Places on stage are limited. Once we've received your application, we'll confirm your slot and send you a short brief on what to prepare.
Want to see what you're signing up for? Watch 6 Entrepreneurs Pitch for £5,000 — But Would You Invest? from our studio series.
