On February 19, 2024, the Burning Heroes Founders Association hosted its London Pitch Competition at the Home Grown Members' Club. This event, aligned with the association’s mission to foster innovation, connected startups with venture capital in a dynamic setting. The Pitch Competition is a part of the global series of offline pitches, which opened in autumn 2023.
Investors from top-tier firms such as Antler, Angels Den, and Fuel Ventures attended, while startups competed for honors in categories like Best Startup, Best Product, and Best Business Model.
Lana Glygalo, Burning Heroes Founders Association, Co-founder
A unique highlight was the Fast Track Award from Ultra VC, an early-stage investor with an in-house accelerator, which included $70K in initial funding and up to $100K in follow-on investment. Each participating startup gained valuable exposure, with the top five receiving direct feedback from venture capitalists, accelerators, and industry experts. Contest partner Angels Den also provided free onboarding for fundraising on their platform, with a reduced success fee for winners. Additionally, winners received extensive media coverage from partners such as Startups Magazine and Startup Reporter.
The importance of early-stage investment, support, and exposure for startup growth: notable success of London Pitch Competition Winners:
Best Startup – Jupitrr AI
Jupitrr AI revolutionizes content marketing by automatically generating B-roll footage—including stock videos, GIFs, and web images—dramatically speeding up content creation for marketing teams worldwide. Powered by artificial intelligence, Jupitrr AI allows creators to bypass the tedious process of sourcing footage and focus on their core message.
Harris Cheng, Co-founder of Jupitrr AI. Overall Winner of the Burning Heroes Pitch Competition London
Key achievements since their win:
- Rapid Revenue Growth: Hit 2,000 active paying customers and achieved 75% month-on-month revenue growth over the past 4 months
- User Engagement Surge: Weekly video exports surged from 200 to over 7,000, demonstrating strong user adoption and engagement.
- High-Profile Users: Welcomed renowned users such as the BBC, UNICEF, and New York University, boosting credibility and market presence.
- Product Hunt Recognition: Named #1 Product of the Week on Product Hunt.
Best Product – SPOKE
SPOKE offers a groundbreaking approach to mental health by embedding proven wellness tools into music and lyrics created by renowned musicians. Designed to make mental well-being as accessible as listening to favorite songs, SPOKE has captivated a younger, more gender-balanced, and diverse audience compared to other mental health solutions.
Key milestones:
- Awards and Recognition: Named one of the UK's most innovative businesses, finalist in the UK StartUp Awards for 'Startup For Good,' and winner of the SXSW Innovation Award for 'Audio Experiences.'
- App Store Achievement: Recognized as App of the Day in 22 countries.
- Speaking Opportunities: Founder Ariana Alexander-Sefre was invited to speak at London Tech Week and the SYNC Summit in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Best Business Model – Cariqa
Cariqa is transforming EV charging payments, making the process seamless for users. Since launching in September, Cariqa has onboarded its first Charge Point Operators and introduced a Smart Pricing feature—the world’s first AI-driven pricing engine. This feature dynamically adjusts station rates on an hourly basis, ensuring optimized, data-driven pricing without manual intervention.
Special Nomination by ULTRA.VC – Voda
Voda is an LGBTQIA+ mental wellness app created with leading LGBTQIA+ psychotherapists to provide accessible, inclusive digital therapy. Recognized for its social impact, Voda's success story inspires other mission-driven startups.
Key achievements since receiving the ULTRA.VC Fast Track Award:
- User Base Expansion: Grew to over 25,000 users, reflecting strong demand within the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Tripled Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): Demonstrated robust financial growth and a sustainable model.
- Media Recognition: Featured in Forbes, Attitude Magazine, and highlighted on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
- Award Accolades: Winner of the National Rising Star Award at the UK StartUp Awards.
The London Pitch Competition illustrates the vital role of non-commercial platforms like the Burning Heroes Founders Association, the first startup awards created by founders for founders, in championing innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Encouraged by last year’s outstanding feedback from our jury and participants, we’re excited to bring the London Pitch Competition back to the Home Grown Club on February 10, 2025. With over 100 innovative startups expected and an expanded judging panel offering new perks, including fast-track access to accelerators, this event continues to support the UK tech scene by providing early-stage ventures a platform to connect, grow, and showcase their potential in front of industry leaders.”
— Kirill Baranov, Lead of the Burning Heroes London Pitch Competition 2025
Startups from any industry are welcome to participate, ranging from SaaS B2B sectors and consumer apps to hardware and green tech solutions. Participants will compete in three categories: Best Startup, Best Product, and Best Business Model. Full selection criteria are available on the website, and they are chosen based on investors' needs.
