Future leaders pitch for investment to support their plans for growth
Professionals across the DSW Network showcased their entrepreneurial ideas for a chance to win up to £250,000 in funding.
In an exciting new finale, the twelve participants from DSW’s 2024 Future Leaders programme pitched their ideas on how to grow and enhance their businesses with the opportunity to secure up to £250,000 of investment from DSW Capital plc to help them put their strategies into action.
Each participant was asked to deliver a short business plan, a one-page press release and a compelling 90-second pitch, with a strict one-minute limit for follow-up questions. The event, designed to foster innovation, took place at The Alan Hotel in Manchester City Centre with the ‘judging panel’ made up of DSW Senior Partners.
DSW’s Talent & Resourcing Manager Liz Lawson explained: “The event tested not just the strength of the business ideas, but also the participants’ ability to present, adapt, and handle rapid-fire questioning—a real-world scenario often faced by entrepreneurs seeking investment.”
The pitches included:
- Global Expansion of DSW’s tax capability: A strategy focused on scaling DSW’s tax advisory services to an international level, leveraging global networks and expertise
- AI-enabled business development capabilities: Proposals centred around integrating AI-driven tools to enhance business development processes and client engagement
- Technology integration for corporate finance: Plans to adopt cutting-edge technology that could further streamline and strengthen DSW’s already robust corporate finance services
- Geographic expansion across the UK: Ideas for expanding DSW’s footprint across new regions, targeting high-growth areas to capture untapped market opportunities
- Asset-based lending due diligence hub: Creating a one-stop shop for asset-based lending due diligence, offering end-to-end solutions that add value for clients
- Brand awareness campaigns: Innovative approaches to elevate DSW’s brand presence through targeted marketing and thought leadership initiatives
- Off-the-shelf products for early-stage businesses: Launching pre-packaged, ready-to-deploy solutions designed specifically for startups and emerging companies.
The panel is currently deliberating over the pitches, evaluating them based on the presentation’s quality, the business plan’s robustness, and the feasibility of the ideas. The best concepts will be refined with the help of existing partners within the business and presented to the DSW Capital plc Board for a final decision.
Liz added: “This initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to nurturing internal talent and promoting a culture of innovation. By empowering individuals to take ownership of their ideas and offering a tangible pathway to investment, the firm is exploring new avenues for growth and fostering entrepreneurial thinking.
“The calibre of ideas and the passion displayed by our Future Leaders is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our business forward. We will be excited to see which of these ideas have the potential to help shape the future of DSW.”
The Future Leaders programme supports professionals across the DSW Network, helping them develop their leadership capabilities and reach their full potential. This initiative not only focuses on individual growth but also enhances collaboration, fosters stronger relationships, and boosts interconnectivity across the network.
For more on the programme and what our participants said about their experience, watch the short video below:
Thank you to Liz for arranging another successful programme and to everyone who participated.