Inside UCL’s Pitch Day 2026: Where the Next Generation of Startups Takes the Stage

The future of entrepreneurship was on full display at the MSc Entrepreneurship Pitch Day 2026, hosted by the UCL School of Management and we were proud to see our Founder and Chair, Paul Herman, on the judging panel.

Held on the 50th floor of One Canada Square, this flagship event marked the final stage of a highly selective pitch competition, bringing together student founders, investors, mentors, and industry leaders for an evening of innovation and collaboration.

Showcasing the Next Generation of Founders

The evening began with a vibrant start-up marketplace, where attendees explored a diverse range of ventures developed throughout the programme. From AI and sustainability to education, fashion, and social impact, the breadth of ideas reflected the creativity and ambition of the next generation.

Fifteen student-led startups showcased their businesses, with ten going on to deliver fast-paced pitches to a distinguished panel of judges, including Paul Herman, alongside industry experts from across business and healthcare.

Celebrating Innovation and Impact

The standard of ideas was exceptionally high, with each founder demonstrating not only creativity but a strong understanding of real-world challenges.

Among the standout ventures:

• Best Idea was awarded to Open World, founded by Christopher Marlowe, addressing accessibility challenges in accommodation booking for people with mobility needs.

• Best Pitch went to Table for Art, co-founded by Jakub Stadnik and Arjun Govind, transforming unused restaurant space into creative hubs for artists.

• Best Showcase was awarded to Last Stem, co-founded by Ekaterina Kirpichenko and Ariana Otamendi Carmona, a business focused on recycling wedding flowers to reduce waste and create environmental impact.

Each of these ideas demonstrated not only innovation, but a clear sense of purpose something that strongly resonated with the judging panel.

A Full-Circle Moment for Entrepreneurship Education

For Paul Herman, judging at this event represents more than just recognising great ideas - it reflects a wider mission to support entrepreneurship at younger stages.

Through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, Paul and the team are focused on introducing these same skills and ways of thinking much earlier in the education journey.

This is further strengthened by our recent partnership with the UCL School of Management and UCL Institute of Education, which aims to deliver free, digital entrepreneurship education to children and teenagers across the UK and beyond.

Together, we are working to equip young people with the creativity, confidence, and practical skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Building the Pipeline of Future Entrepreneurs

Events like Pitch Day highlight what’s possible when students are given the opportunity to develop ideas, test them, and present them in real-world environments.

At the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, we see this same transformation happening at an earlier stage, when young people are first introduced to entrepreneurial thinking. Whether it’s through our Basics of Business: Beginner to Boss programme or our in-person bootcamps, the goal is the same: to build confidence, encourage creativity, and help young people realise their potential.

From classroom ideas to investor-ready pitches, the journey of entrepreneurship is one of growth, resilience, and innovation.

And it’s clear from events like this, the future is in very capable hands. 🚀