Leicester business wins Pitching Platform competition at the East Midlands Real Entrepreneurs' Awards 2025
- Kerry Smith
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
A Leicester business won the audience vote.
The East Midlands Real Entrepreneurs' Awards 2025, held last week on April 10 at Leonardo Hinckley Island hotel, once again provided a stage for bright startup founders through its Pitching Platform.
The initiative, designed to connect emerging entrepreneurs with established business leaders, is sponsored by Nelsons. This unique opportunity saw three ambitious business founders pitch their ventures to an audience of industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs, with the winner securing an invaluable non-executive board to support their business growth.
This year’s successful applicants were:
Nikki Croxall, Rescue Partners: matching shelter animals with friendly humans
Sallyanne Kirk, Leicester Fashion District CIC: making ethical fashion accessible to all
Robert McKinna, Inclus Design: creating a more inclusive world through design
Each founder had the chance to present their vision, business model, and growth strategy to a room of influential entrepreneurs, who then voted to decide the most compelling pitch of the evening.
The winner, Sallyanne Kirk, will now receive strategic mentorship from a dedicated non-executive board, comprising:
Rik Pancholi – Partner, Nelsons
Jenny Cross – CEO, Cross Productions
Paul Bevan – Managing Director, Breeze Corporate Finance
Ian Cooper – Divisional Director, RBC Brewin Dolphin
Winner of the Pitching Platform, SallyAnne Kirk, Founder of Leicester Fashion District, said:“I just love Leicester and I don’t want to see our fashion industry die. For me, this is a legacy piece, so after I’m gone, that fashion district will be there and everyone will benefit from it for years to come. I was inspired to set up Leicester Fashion District when I was at De Montfort University studying fashion as a mature student during the fast fashion scandal.
"I’m from Leicester, my husband’s business is based here, our families live here, and I thought we can’t just let Leicester’s fashion industry die. It’s time to flip the switch and have a new fresh direction for fashion in Leicester.
"To other entrepreneurs, I’d say don’t give up. You might have knock backs – I’ve had them as well and – but just carry on. And be authentic. In a world where everything’s so fake and you don’t know what to believe, authenticity is the new black guys.”
The Pitching Platform is a highlight of the East Midlands Real Entrepreneurs’ Awards, offering early-stage businesses not just visibility but also access to a wealth of knowledge and guidance. By pairing a promising startup with an experienced board, the initiative provides a stepping stone for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses effectively.
Rik Pancholi, Partner at Nelsons, which sponsors the Pitching Platform, said: "The Pitching Platform is an incredible opportunity to witness the entrepreneurial spirit in action. It’s a chance to engage with the next generation of business leaders and help them navigate the challenges of scaling their ventures.
"By providing mentorship through a dedicated non-executive board, we are investing in the future of the East Midlands' business community, ensuring that these startups have the guidance and support needed to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape."
Jenny Cross, CEO of Cross Productions, which organises the Real Entrepreneurs’ Awards, said: "Entrepreneurs thrive when given the right support and opportunities. The Pitching Platform is a fantastic way to bridge the gap between new and established business leaders, creating lasting impact for startups in our region."
