Selected Start-Ups pitching

Six student-led enterprises pitched to 30 angel investors in the prestigious surroundings of the College's Senior Common Room. Their business ideas ranged from a novel fire detection system to a lightweight cycle helmet and an ingenious use of pineapple leaves.

The programme has grown from recognition that while RCA students excel at creating new innovative designs, they often struggle to capitalise on them through lack of business experience and access to early-stage funding.

To prepare to face the investors, the students took part in a FuelRCA crash course, which helped them develop the skills and confidence needed to deliver an eight-minute business presentation and handle investors' questions.

The College investor responses were very positive with several expressing an interest in backing the student ventures. Two deals are being negotiated. The event was generously suppported by KPMG and Kilburn and Strode LLP and WilmerHale.