Women in Business Networking – Tide HQ - Pitch Challenge Lead-Up

Looking to grow your circle of women in business? This evening at Tide HQ brings together female founders, entrepreneurs, and professionals building their side hustle for genuine, low-pressure networking - with a first look at this year's Founder Pitch Challenge along the way. This special edition sits in the lead-up to the Founder Pitch Challenge 2026 by Tide and GMax Card, a great chance to build new connections and step further into London's startup scene. Venue - Tide HQ, Old Street You'll be hosted at Tide HQ, one of the UK's leading business financial platforms. It's a modern, professional space built for founders, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses - a short walk from Old Street Station. How the Evening Flows 18:00 - Arrival & Networking Meet fellow female attendees and start making new connections. 19:15 - Icebreakers & Quick Intro Round A well-tested icebreaker or two, followed by a 30-second introduction from everyone who wishes to take part. 20:00 - A Talk About Pitching Your Business (Speaker TBC) 20:15 - Continued Networking Relaxed conversations and open networking. 21:00 - Close What to Expect =A relaxed yet purposeful evening, structured just enough to make connecting easy - not a formal conference, not a loud social mixer. =We open with relaxed networking, then icebreakers and a facilitated intro round, so you're never left working the room alone. Our hosts are on hand from the start to make introductions and help everyone feel welcome. =Partway through, we'll pause for a short talk on pitching your business - useful whether you're building toward the Founder Pitch Challenge or simply curious what makes a pitch land. =Then it's back to open networking: genuine conversations, shared experiences, and new opportunities, at your own pace. Who You'll Meet • Female founders and business owners • Women scaling early-stage or side hustle ventures • Startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs • Women looking for collaborators, referrals, and long-term connections • SME and startup professionals from across the wider business community Founder Pitch Challenge 2026 This networking evening forms part of the lead-up to the Founder Pitch Challenge 2026, taking place on 14 October at Tide HQ. If you're building a startup and considering pitching, this is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow founders, ask questions, and learn more about the competition before applications close. On 14 October, 10 shortlisted founders will pitch live to an expert judging panel of investors and experienced business leaders, competing for a share of the £5,000 prize fund. T&Cs apply. Interested in pitching? Applications must be submitted separately via the official Founder Pitch Challenge application page. Registering for this networking event does not enter you into the competition. [Apply to Founder Pitch Challenge Here](https://tide-gmax.3edit.net/) Private WhatsApp Community Attendees get access to our women-in-business WhatsApp community (350+ members) — stay connected, discover female-led businesses, hear about upcoming events, and get exclusive opportunities. Entry & GMax Cards Selected paid tickets include a Premium NFC Business Card by GMax Card, ready for collection at the event (please ask a host to claim yours - cards aren't distributed automatically). Hosted by [GMax Card - a digital business card platform](https://gmaxcard.com/) helping professionals build meaningful business connections beyond LinkedIn. In partnership with: • [Tide - business banking solution](https://www.tide.co/partners-business-account/?ref=GMAXF2F) for entrepreneurs and SMEs • [Getshop Today](https://getshop.today/) - UK eCommerce platform/agency Important Information • This is a women-focused networking event. • Registering for this networking event does not enter you into the Founder Pitch Challenge. Female startup founders wishing to pitch must apply separately via the official application page. • Photos and videos may be captured…