Inspiring Change and Shared Wisdom
Our AXA Startup Angel 2024 winners share their inspirations, motivations and advice for fellow startups
READ MOREWhether you’ve recently started a new venture, or have always had a brilliant idea for one, now is the time to turn your dream into reality. The AXA Startup Angel competition – from AXA Business Insurance in partnership with The Standard – is back for its fourth year.
This year’s competition offers six opportunities to win. The two most impressive ventures will each receive the top prize, which includes £25,000, expert mentoring from the AXA Startup Angels, exclusive access to a mental health and resilience webinar provided by AXA Health and a year of business insurance, thanks to AXA. Additionally, winners will enjoy 50 per cent off an AXA Health policy and VIP attendance at the 2026 SME XPO. Four runners-up will also win a media and mentoring prize worth more than £18,000 to boost their new ventures.
Could you impress our panel of successful founders with your business idea? Picking this year’s most inspiring ideas are the AXA Startup Angels: Henry Firth and Ian Theasby (co-founders of plant-based food brand BOSH!), Sharmadean Reid MBE (founder and CEO of The Stack World), and Raphael Sofoluke (founder and CEO of UK Black Business Week and UK Black Business Show). Entering is easy – simply send us a short pitch video and answer a couple of questions about your business idea. Complete your submission by 6 July 2025. Terms apply.
Calling all aspiring entrepreneurs – discover what the judges are looking for and their advice for creating a pitch you’ll feel confident about.
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Are you ready to take your startup to the next level? The AXA Startup Angel competition is back for 2025, and the search is on for the UK’s most inspiring new businesses.
Last year’s winning founders, Steve King of WeDonate and Francisco Shirazi of Bluco, share their top tips for victory.
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Our AXA Startup Angel 2024 winners share their inspirations, motivations and advice for fellow startups
READ MOREFrom setting goals to identifying customers, your marketing plan can act as a blueprint for success for your startup
In our business guide, we share tips and advice for how small business owners can support mental health at work
Terms apply. 18+ UK Residents only. Entry period closes at 23.59 on 6 July 2025. One entry per business. Please read full Terms & Conditions at standard.co.uk/axaterms. AXA Health is a trading name of AXA PPP healthcare Limited, AXA Health Limited and AXA Health Services Limited. Along with AXA Insurance UK plc, all the companies are registered in England and Wales and have their registered office at 20 Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 0BG with registered numbers 03148119, 12839134, 03429917 and 00078950 respectively. AXA Health Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority whilst AXA PPP healthcare Limited and AXA Insurance UK plc are both authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Their Financial Services Register numbers are 932948, 202947 and 202312 respectively. All companies are part of the global AXA Group.