The right pitch at the right moment can change everything.
Last week, I was at Bread and Jam, the UK’s biggest event for food and drink startups.
Here’s what the day looked like:
Two pitch panels: one for pre-seed, one for seed-stage startups
Live pitches in front of a crowd
1-1 pitch sessions
A panel talk on building and exiting businesses
Hours of open conversations with entrepreneurs: Offering feedback, sharing lessons, and in some cases, opening the door to investment
There’s nothing quite like the energy in a room full of builders.
Some nervous. Some overly rehearsed. Some raw and real.
Every founder wanted to be remembered.
What stood out?
The best pitches didn’t try to impress, they made it obvious.
What’s the problem? Who is it for? Why now?
If you can answer those three things clearly, you’re already ahead in the game.
You could tell within 30 seconds when someone actually got their business.
They made you stop and think: this could work.
Lesson:
You’re pitching for clarity.
Make people care. Make it simple. Make them see it.
Because in a room full of founders, the ones who cut through aren’t louder.
They’re sharper.
The kind that makes someone say: I get it. Let’s talk.
Felix Had 5 Minutes - He Made Them Count
I sat across from Felix, founder of Mór Taste as he laid out his vision, numbers, and funding ask.
He wasn’t guessing. He was building. And he was looking to raise £300K to take things further.
In under five minutes, he had my attention.
In under ten, he had my card and an invitation to pitch to a Fund I’m involved with.
When you pitch for the first time, you’re just looking to get to a proper meeting.
Tell them enough to develop interest and get your foot in the door.
What made the difference here?
He was clear. He was direct. And he knew exactly what he needed.
Takeaway:
Your first pitch is never about closing.
It’s about positioning.
You need to know exactly where you are, what you need, and how to go further.
Make it easy for others to say yes!
Here’s part of the pitch →
@johnbstapleton When you pitch for the first time, you’re just looking to get to a proper meeting. Tell them enough to develop interest and get your foot ... See more
This week, I am opening up three 15-minute private calls.
These aren’t generic chats - they’re focused, strategic deep-dives. Whether you’re scaling a business, launching something new, or stuck at a crossroads, this is for you.
To apply, send an email with what you’re building.
Be honest. Be specific. Tell us where you're stuck, and what real progress would look like. We’re not looking for polish! We’re looking for people who are ready to take action.
Answer these three prompts:
What are you building? (2-3 lines)
What are you stuck or uncertain about? (be clear and specific)
What would a successful outcome from this call look like?
I will personally select the three founders I believe I can help most.
Or email [email protected] directly.
Big plays from last week (16th July - 23rd July):
1. Alpha Group exits to Corpay for £1.8B
UK-based fintech Alpha Group agreed to be acquired by Corpay, a major U.S. player in corporate payments. This is one of the year’s cleanest exits in the fintech space.
2. Creator Economy M&A heats up. Later acquires Mavely
Social commerce platform Later acquired affiliate marketing startup Mavely in a $250M deal, part of a broader 73% rise in creator economy M&A. For founders in digital tools, monetization layers are now king.
3. Waters acquires diagnostics arm of Becton Dickinson ($17.5B)
In one of the biggest biotech deals this year, Waters Corp acquired BD’s diagnostic unit through a Reverse Morris Trust. Strategic but also a reminder:
Focus and deep domain always beats chasing hype
In this week in 2024, Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election.
This is not unprecedented, but you have to go back to Lyndon B Johnson in 1968 for the last time it happened (voluntarily). A poor debate performance against Donald Trump pushed him to make this decision. He may have been pushed, but it was nonetheless a selfless and courageous act.
This is unusual in politics and even more so in business. Especially among founders. Recognising when to put the needs of a business above personal ambition is a rare but vital quality in leaders. The subsequent US election didn’t go to plan. But the decision was an honourable one and likely the right one at the time.
I’ve just been to the Bread & Jam Festival this week*, which is now over, but they organise smaller events throughout the year, so look out for those (geared towards the Food & Drink industry). Read more about it here.
Here are few other links to entrepreneur networking and events. I think you'll like these and find them useful.
Don’t miss out, mark your calendar, register early, and be part of the conversation shaping tomorrow.
Spots fill up fast, so secure yours now!