A new event for entrepreneurs and investors is aiming to jump start Guernsey’s startup scene.

Pitch Guernsey will bring founders from the island and the UK together to showcase their companies to local investors, business leaders and potential partners.

The event was organised by entrepreneur‑turned‑investor Dirk Bischoff, who has spent 25 years building startup support programmes in the UK, including incubator Hatch Enterprise – which has supported more than 10,000 entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.

He said he didn’t just want to put on a polished stage event, but to start building the “unsexy plumbing” that helps new businesses grow – things like legal, financial and marketing advice.

“We wanted to bring people together in one venue, one event, to see what entrepreneurial talent there, and get them together with business professionals, investors in a friendly format,” he added.

Less experimentation

Mr Bischoff believes Guernsey has significant untapped potential but faces challenges that differ from the UK.

With unemployment at about 2%, he said many local people were reluctant to take risks, and the island had “a much lower level of experimentation” for new ideas.

At the same time, access to mentors, early‑stage advice and grant funding was limited locally, he said.

Scaleups vs startups

The first event – which has already sold out – will showcase companies that are already trading and scaling, with many already turning over between £100,000 and £1m.

One firm taking part, a neonatal health‑tech firm with Innovate UK backing, is already on its fifth prototype and midway through a major fundraise.

Mr Bischoff said the event differs from some existing local programmes which focus on much earlier‑stage ideas.

Beyond the pitches themselves, he hopes the event will help build long‑term links between local investors and UK founders, spark new collaborations, and open the door to impact‑focused sectors such as climate tech.

Some founders would be staying on the island after the event to explore potential partnerships and funding opportunities.

Pitch Guernsey will run quarterly, with each edition focusing on a different theme.

Mr Bischoff said his long‑term goal was to create a “more entrepreneurial Guernsey”.