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Essential takeaways from our competition briefing for tech startups

Did you join us for our recent competition briefing? If not, don’t worry! We’ve put together some key takeaways from the session. From the types of startups we want to invest in through to how to navigate the pitch day process.


Watch the full session below or skim through our essential takeaways.


Speakers: Larry Sullivan, Founder and Investor, Leo Lion/Future of Capitalism Competition and Robert Brown, Competition Director, Future of Capitalism Competition.



What are you are looking for in a tech startup?

  • What’s really important for the Future of Capitalism competition is a combination of the quality of the business idea, the founder’s core values and their resilience.

  • Never underestimate the importance of resilience, even if your first venture doesn't work, consider what you can learn from that to make the second venture and the third potential venture even better.

  • You don't need to be aggressive and nasty to be successful in business. The complete opposite is true, you need to care about the outcomes for others

What stage tech startups can enter the competition?

  • The competition is open to tech startups that are at Pre-Seed, Seed or Series A level.

  • If you are seeking Series A funding, we would normally co-invest as part of a funding round, and wouldn’t typically act as a lead funder. Whereas if you are at pre-seed or seed, we would consider making an investment as a sole investor, however we do prefer to work alongside other investors.


What types of tech startup can enter?

  • We are fairly open to most types of tech including AdTech, AI/ML, AR (Augmented Reality), Big Data, CloudTech, ConTech, CyberTech, DevOps, Ecommerce, EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, HRTech,  InsurTech, IoT, LegalTech, MarketingTech,  ManufacturingTech, MobileTech/Apps, PropTech, Robotics, SaaS, Supply Chain Tech, SustainabilityTech, VR (Virtual Reality) & more besides.

  • The startups that are most likely to be selected as finalists are those that have a serious software component involved in them. But there are exceptions, such as robotics, where 50% of the solution could be mechanical and 50% of the solution a software.

What form will the investment take?

  • There is up to $1,000,000 USD investment available. In previous competitions

    this has been split across multiple startups. So - whilst you may enter seeking the full $1m USD we may offer you part of that figure. However, having said that, if your business is strong enough you could be awarded the full figure.

  • There are different terms and different forms of investment that we are prepared to enter into with the competition winners. We aim to agree something that meets the requirements of both the startup and ourselves in order to create a successful partnership.


Why is a video needed to enter the competition?

  • The video is important as it gives us an insight into you as an individual, through you pitching your company in your own words. This can be something as simple as you sitting in front of your laptop or mobile phone and recording an introduction to yourself and your startup.

  • Please use the video as an opportunity to promote yourself and your company as it forms a vital part of our selection procedure.


Previous funding details

  • If you've had previous funding rounds, it would be advisable for you to mention those previous funding rounds, and what the status is of your relationship with your previous funders, in your application.

  • It’s helpful for us to know as there are likely to be things like term sheets in place, previous business plans, and previous relationships that we need to take into account.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDA)

  • We have a standard competition NDA (available on request) to protect confidential information. Please email competition@leolion.org 


The pitchday process

  • The competition pitchday is on Tuesday 3 February at Warwick Business School (WBS), in the Shard, London, UK. This is a very spectacular venue with fantastic views looking over the skyline of central London.

  • Financial support covering hotel and travel expenses is available for shortlisted startups.

  • This is similar to Dragon's Den, or Shark Tank, except there are 10 judges and the pitch process is done in private to protect any sensitive business information.

  • Finalists have a 15 minute slot to make their pitch to the judges, followed by a 5 minute Q&A.

  • Pitches are scheduled to take place between 8:30am to 5:30pm. This is followed by an evening reception at the Shard, which generally goes on till about 9pm. During this we make an announcement as to who has been successful in the competition and who we therefore want to enter into more detailed negotiations with regards to funding.


What does values-led mean?

  • We are seeking to invest in values-led entrepreneurs who want to make both a commercial and a social impact. 

  • This can be either using your business acumen and business profits, to support social causes as you become successful.

  • Or it can be through providing a technology that could positively impact the lives of people. For example through educational, sustainability or healthcare technology.

  • This is the unique factor about the Future of Capitalism Competition, we don't just want to find people that can be commercially successful, we also want to find people who are willing to share their success in some way, shape or form with broader society to make a difference in the world, other than just generating economic wealth.


With thanks to our webinar host, Jane Barrett of the Career Farm.

Entries to the 25/26 Future of Capitalism Competition are open until 26 September 2025.

 

More about our speakers:

Larry Sullivan, Founder and Investor, Leo Lion/Future of Capitalism Competition

Larry is a serial tech entrepreneur and founder of Leo Lion Limited with a track record of building and scaling software companies across the UK, USA, Poland and Russia. He champions a culture of diversity, fairness, integrity and innovation across all his ventures.


Beyond business, Larry is deeply committed to education and social impact, having co-founded Stepping Stones School, the Widad Centre, and Pathways Education, as well as launching social enterprises like The Cookie Bar.

Through the Leo Lion Foundation, he supports global initiatives that link economic and social value, while Leo Lion Limited actively incubates and invests in purpose driven ventures across tech, health, AI and green innovation.


Robert Brown, Competition Director, Future of Capitalism Competition

Robert has spent 32 years as a CEO of global software companies. During his career he has always focused on building companies with a value-based culture and strong social conscience.


Beyond his executive roles, Robert is a passionate believer in promoting capitalism with a social conscience. In his opinion, capitalism is the only proven economic system. But capitalism without a social conscience places wealth in the hands of fewer and fewer people, which can have a detrimental effect on society.

If all organisations were to set aside time and money to address areas of social and economic disadvantage, many of the world's most pressing issues around education, healthcare and housing could be addressed to create a more sustainable society for us all.


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