Calling all Manchester entrepreneurs! Would you jump at the chance to get your business idea in front of a global audience of millions and get feedback from some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs? Now’s your chance…
Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson and entrepreneur, Simon Squibb, have teamed up to bring their “Doorbell of Dreams” to Manchester on 4 and 5 August. The Dream Machine van will be parked up outside Green Arches Brewery, Red Bank, Cheetham Hill from 10am.
Run by the pair’s entrepreneurship hubs,Virgin StartUp and HelpBnk,
the “Doorbell of Dreams” is a video doorbell where founders can come and pitch their business ideas in 60 seconds. The pitches will be uploaded to the HelpBnk platform and the best ones will receive feedback on social media from some of the UK’s most recognisable
entrepreneurs including Richard Branson and Simon Squibb, Aimee Smale, Simon Sinek, Roxie Nafousi and Charlie Bowes-Lyon.
With a combined social media following of more than 120 million, the Doorbell of Dreams will help the next generation of entrepreneurs get their business ideas in front of a global audience.
More than 1500 people have already pitched to the Doorbell of Dreams nationwide, clocking up 2 million views online.
Everyone pitching will also be offered a free chat with an experienced business advisor from Virgin StartUp. Since 2013, Virgin StartUp has distributed £1.85million in Start Up Loans to people in the North West, with a third of these loans distributed in 2023 and 2024, highlighting the region’s growing appetite for entrepreneurship.
Research from Virgin StartUp also shows that a third of people in the North West are interested in starting their own business someday.
The Doorbell of Dreams will be located outside Green Arches Brewery which was renovated and reopened by Sam Flahive in 2023 using a £5,000 Start Up Loan from Virgin StartUp.
Sir Richard Branson said: “I think it’s great that so many people across the UK want to start their own business, so we’ve asked Virgin StartUp and HelpBnk to take the doorbell on the road where we’ll reach more people and help them with the advice and guidance they need to make their ideas even bigger and better.”
Simon Squibb added: “I’m on a mission to help as many people as possible find their passion in life and to turn that into a business. I truly believe that anyone can build a successful business and live a life that they love, and that’s what the “Doorbell of Dreams” is all about. I’m so excited that Richard and I are now being joined by an incredible group of entrepreneurs to provide feedback on and share our favourite pitches. So, what are you waiting for? If you’ve got a business dream, come and tell us about it!”
Run by Richard and Simon’s entrepreneurship hubs, Virgin StartUp and HelpBnk, the “Doorbell of Dreams” will be visiting Manchester on 4 and 5 August 2025.
For more information and exact locations of the Doorbell of Dreams, visit doorbellofdreams.com.
