The Tiger’s Pen is the epitome of paying it forward and supporting new ventures as they launch with financial investment and mentorship and guidance.
In September 2023, the Tiger’s Pen was showcased at the BIPC in the Jubilee Library in Brighton – just a stone’s throw from where the main Sussex Business Show was being held.
Five startups entered the Tiger’s Pen
Five startups pitched for investment on the day, with four successfully walking away with either mentoring, capital investment or both to help them scale and grow their businesses.
Our Tiger investors included Matt Turner, Damien Burke, Paul Goldsmith, Sara Osterholzer and Andrew Stenning, and we thank them for being our panel judges, and a massive thank you to Jo Stuart and Harry Daymond for helping out as our support for the day as well.
The venue was spot on and the right mix of investors meant the pen was roaring as people secured the support for their business.
The 2024 vision
This year, we go bold with brand new stripes and a brand new sponsor for 2024 and 2025. We welcome Rubix VT and Nick Poyner as our pack leader for our exclusive Tiger’s Pen Sponsor.
The venue for the Pen remains the same at Jubilee Library with four bold investors. We’re now actively looking for a fifth investor who wants to invest capital into the next round of Sussex startups who are brave enough to enter the Tiger’s Pen.
Our fifth and final investor we are searching for would be a female to diversify the pack and ensure we have a balanced mix on the panel. So, if you’ve got a roar in your belly and feel like you could support a Sussex startup, make contact with Sonny Cutting to be added to the starting line-up of investors.
Keep your eyes wide open as the Tigers return in September to ‘meat’ the startups to see who they would like to invest their time and money into.
Win up to £10,000 of investment
Startups are pitching for up to £10,000 capital investment, mentoring and access to the Wild Card Prize of Best Pitch of the Day.
Did we say £10,000? Yes we did. We’re upgrading the bounty for start-ups but in return you’ll go through an X Factor style audition to make sure you can cut the mustard on the day.
Step up and show us your roar, and as you grow and scale up, we’ll support you as you grow into a bigger business.
Along with the double bounty this year, winners who gain capital investment and mentoring will also be given an Telecoms, Marketing and Accounts package to help them grow.
If you’re a startup in Sussex and a Limited Company under 3 years of age. Get in contact, and let us invest in you.