It been over a month since Venturefest WM 2025 and I am still buzzing from the incredible energy of Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up!
This year the investment readiness competition was fierce right from the start, and on the day there were 6 standout finalists, pitching to a live audience and a panel of expert judges to secure their spot in the top three:
Avid Health
Tom Allen introduced us to a digital-native approach to proactive health management. Their gamified app delivers personalized content and activities, boasting a 91% completion rate. One case study even showed a reduction in cholesterol levels. By blending human skills with AI, Avid Health aims to alleviate the burden of preventable chronic diseases on the NHS.
LeicSurvey
Dr. Himanshu Kaul presented an inclusive survey solution tailored for hospices, a sector facing a £77 million deficit in the UK. Recognizing that traditional survey methods often lead to digital exclusion, LeicSurvey offers tools that cater to diverse populations, including those who don’t speak the local language. Currently used by 7% of UK hospices, their AI-powered pipelines aim to enhance human wellbeing by giving a voice to the digitally excluded.
PortalZero
Nayden Yurukov and Scott Shearan showcased a gas-free outdoor cooking hob designed for the growing campervan market. With plans to engage directly with customers and expand into B2C within two years, their product is set to revolutionize outdoor cooking. Scott brings industry experience from Australia, while Nayden specializes in design, making them a formidable team.
RACE (Rapid Axle Concept Evolution) MBS Software
Raoul Popescu-Ghimis introduced the world’s first cloud-based simulation software for vehicle suspension and chassis development. Addressing the immense pressure in the automotive industry due to outdated systems, which can cost up to £1 billion, RACE Software offers fast setup, carbon-offsetting features, and accessibility for all user levels. Their solution has led to a 65% improvement in headcount inefficiencies, helping to cut costs and boost innovation.
WasteProjekt
Molly Ratcliffe, CEO and Founder, is tackling food waste and plastic pollution by creating biodegradable plant pots from food waste. These zero-plastic, naturally compostable products cater to eco-conscious gardeners and wholesalers. With 61% of UK consumers prioritising sustainability compared to more than two years ago, WasteProjekt aims to generate revenue through direct sales and partnerships with garden centres, planning to scale by partnering with large food distributors.
Neo Air Ltd
Luke Read, CEO, is revolutionizing how compressed air is generated with non-mechanical, emission-free solutions powered by a DC motor and batteries. Aging utility infrastructure can be dangerous if disrupted, and NeoAir’s devices can blast air at supersonic speeds to remove debris, offering a lighter, faster, and more competitively priced alternative. Their nVac 15 is under warranty for 20,000 hours, and Neo Air has also been granted a trademark.
After all six pitched, the highest scoring three, pitched again in the intense final! Huge congratulations to Raoul Popescu-Ghimis, CEO of RACE Solutions, for clinching the Best Pitch Winner trophy at Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up 2025. His compelling pitch for their cloud-based suspension simulation software impressed both the judges and the audience, standing out among a field of exceptional talent. Raoul won £3,000 cash prize and a golden ticket to a Minerva Business Angels event.
A massive well done to all the pitchers for their polished presentations throughout the competition and thank you to all the supporters of the competition especially the judges!
This year was a strong reminder of the innovation and ambition thriving across the West Midlands. From sustainable gardening to cutting-edge automotive solutions, the diversity of ideas on show reflects a region rich in entrepreneurial talent and increasingly attractive to investors.
With access to funding a critical hurdle for many early-stage ventures, events like Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up are more important than ever. They connect promising founders with experienced investors, helping to close that gap and turn potential into progress.
Is it just me, or does anyone else get the post-event blues? Delivering such an epic event feels fantastic, and the come down has been slow! But as it is straight onto the next thing, we have hardly had any time to reflect or celebrate the past 10 years of investment competitions. A special shout out goes to University of Birmingham Enterprise, Minerva Business Angels at Warwick Science Park and Aston Centre for Growth, without the collaboration and hard work of the teams there would be no competition!
Expressions of interest are now open for next year’s competition, so if you’re an ambitious founder ready to take your idea to the next level, now’s the time to step forward.
Let’s keep championing innovation and investment across the region.
Kate Angel, WMHTC
Slingshot