Open Mic Pitching and Networking
ONE FREE DRINK INCLUDED WITH £5 TICKET
Rare Founders is super excited to bring back its legendary open mic pitching and networking event through London Tech Week!
We will start with a fire chat with our guest: Chris Howard.
We’ll be diving into a brutally honest conversation around:
What kind of startups actually get funded 💰
Why the US sees more startup success stories than the UK 🇺🇸🇬🇧
What VCs and angels really look for before writing a cheque
And whether UK founders need to start thinking differently if they want to raise
Chris is not your average investor.
He’s a startup psychology researcher at MIT, has raised over $100M, and invested personally in more than 40 startups as both a VC and angel.
The rest of the evening will be split into open mic pitching sessions and networking. Every 20-30 minutes we will pick randomly 5-6 founders who are fundraising and they will get on stage to pitch their business for 1 minute. However, be warned if you go over 1 minute, we have water guns!!
Agenda:
6:00 pm- 7:00 pm - Arrival & Networking
7:00 pm- 7:30 pm - Welcome from the host & fire side chat with the guest
7:30 pm - 8:00 pm - Open mic pitching, 1st round (Female Founders First)
8:00 pm- 8:30 pm - Networking
8:30 pm - 9:00 pm - Open mic pitching, 2nd round
9:00 pm - 9:30 pm - Networking
9:30 pm - 10:00 pm - Open mic pitching, 3rd round
Don’t just hear about it—experience it! Our legendary Open Mic & Networking Night is where the UK startup scene comes alive with game-changing connections and electric community vibes. Whether you’re a familiar face or joining us for the first time, this is where opportunities spark, conversations flow, and the ecosystem thrives.
Come for the energy, stay for the connections—you won’t want to miss it! 🚀
👉 Spots are limited—sign up now.
By joining the event, you’re allowing us to capture and share some of the great moments! Photos and videos taken may be used later to showcase our community and for marketing, helping us make future events even better.
👉 Shout out to our Sponsor - Hugh James.
Hugh James is a leading UK law firm that’s not just about legal advice—they’re about backing ambition. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and offices across the UK, they help founders, startups, and growing businesses navigate the legal stuff that actually matters: from protecting your IP to getting your funding legals right.
They believe in solving the unsolvable, fighting for the right outcomes, and supporting bold ideas—just like the ones our founders are building.
Interested in more startup events in London? Sign up for our weekly newsletter on top handpicked startup events in London for founders and investors. See more details here.
What to sponsor the event and get exposure with hundreds of businesses? Please email fraya@rarefounders.com
A Huge Thanks to our Partners!
Safety Partner
Safespace Plus will help foster an environment of safety and empowerment with our Code of Conduct & incident reporting system, giving our attendees a secure platform to voice any concerns and ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued.
Venue Partner
Blue Marlin Ibiza London 🏙️ - a private members' club offering a mix of luxury and creativity. Located in Shoreditch, it features a rooftop pool, restaurant, workspace, club, gym, and spa. Members can enjoy exclusive events, DJ sets, and a sophisticated ambience, creating a unique day-to-night experience in the heart of London. Want to join and save on joining fees? Use this link to apply.
By joining the event, you’re allowing us to capture and share some of the great moments! Photos and videos taken may be used later to showcase our community and for marketing, helping us make future events even better.