Founder Pitch Challenge 2026

Pitch Your Business.
Meet Investors.
Compete for £5,000.

Open a Tide business account for your opportunity to pitch live at Tide HQ, present your business to an expert judging panel, connect with fellow founders and compete for a share of £5,000 in startup capital.

Start Your Tide ApplicationI Already Have My Tide Account

Open your Tide account by 30 September 2026.

Tide and GMax Card founder pitch event

Live pitch day

14 October 2026 · Tide HQ

Live Pitch

14 October 2026

Venue

Tide HQ

Shortlisted

10 Founders

Prize Fund

£5,000 Total

The Prize Fund

Compete for a share of £5,000

Three founders will walk away with startup capital to fuel their next stage of growth.

View competition Terms and Conditions
Top Prize

First Place

£2,500

The winning founder of the live pitch challenge.

Second Place

£1,500

Runner-up in the live pitch challenge at Tide HQ.

Third Place

£1,000

Third in the live pitch challenge at Tide HQ.

More than a competition: this is your opportunity to showcase your business, receive valuable exposure and build relationships with investors, business experts and other founders.

How It Works

Three clear steps to the stage

From opening your account to pitching live — here is exactly how the challenge works.

01

Open your Tide business account

Open a Tide business account between 22 May – 30 September 2026 through the official campaign page. Enter code GMAXPITCHF2F when signing up. T & C apply.

Open Your Tide Account
02

Tell us about your business

Return to this page and complete the short GMax Card founder application. Use the same full name and email address used for your Tide account so that your campaign eligibility can be verified.

Go to the Application
03

Attend the event

GMax Card will contact applicants with event information. Ten shortlisted founders will be selected to pitch live at Tide HQ on 14 October 2026. Other confirmed applicants can attend the business networking event, subject to venue capacity.

Eligibility note: Eligibility is governed by the official Tide campaign Terms and Conditions, so please review them before applying. To be eligible, you must have created your Tide account using the referral code GMAXPITCHF2F or the campaign referral link. Your eligible Tide account must have been created within 30 days of your application date. You will also need to create a free GMAX Card account before applying.Already a Tide member?If you already have a Tide account, you may still be eligible to participate by opening a new Tide business account using the campaign referral code or referral link, provided it meets Tide's eligibility requirements and is created within 30 days of your application.

Why Founders Apply

More than a pitch — a platform for your business

Pitch to an expert panel

Present your business to venture-capital representatives and experienced business leaders.

Compete for startup funding

Win a share of the £5,000 prize fund to support your next stage of growth.

Build valuable connections

Meet founders, potential partners, investors and business experts.

Grow with Tide

Access practical business-banking tools designed to help founders manage their businesses.

The Live Event

Your Next Important Business Connection Could Be in the Room.

The judging panel will include venture-capital representatives and experienced business experts. This is a genuine opportunity to be seen — though attendance and pitching do not promise investment, and not every founder will receive funding.

Date

14 October 2026

Location

Tide HQ

Format

Live pitches, judging, awards and founder networking

Finalists

10 shortlisted founders

Founder presenting a live business pitch to a panel

What the Judges Want to Discover

You don't need perfection — you need clarity

Keep it simple and honest. The panel is looking for the story behind your business, not a flawless script.

A clear customer problem

Who you help, and the real problem you solve for them.

A compelling business solution

How your product or service answers that problem well.

Evidence of demand or early traction

Any signals that people want what you are building.

A realistic growth opportunity

Where the business can go from here, and why now.

A founder with vision and a plan

Strong direction paired with a credible execution plan.

Founder Application

Ready to Put Your Business in the Spotlight?

Just four quick steps — about five minutes. A pitch deck is welcome but not required.

Step 1 of 4

About you

Tell us who's behind the business.

Use the same name as your Tide account.

Offer and account eligibility are subject to Tide's approval criteria and the official competition Terms and Conditions. Opening an account or submitting an application does not guarantee shortlisting, event admission, investment or a prize.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Eligibility is governed by the official Tide campaign Terms and Conditions, so please review them before applying. To be eligible, you must have created your Tide account using the referral code GMAXPITCHF2F or the campaign referral link. Your eligible Tide account must have been created within 30 days of your application date. You will also need to create a free GMAX Card account before applying.