Lingerie entrepreneur in running for Branson’s £1m Pitch to Rich competition
LEEDS BECKETT graduate Morgan Dowler has been shortlisted for Richard Branson’s investment competition ‘Pitch to Rich 2015’.
Ms Dowler’s business intends to launch a specialist brand of lingerie specifically designed for breast cancer patients.
She graduated in 2013 with a BA (Hons) in Business Management from the university.
Pitch to Rich 2015 is a Dragon’s Den style competition designed to boost 10 UK businesses, both startups and established firms, with Virgin businessman Richard Branson judging.
Morgan secured over 1,000 public votes for her business, ‘Love Me and My Secret’ and made the shortlist of 150 companies. The next round will see the number of firms cut down to 30.
The 30 semi-finalists will be announced on the 19 May.
Ms Dowler said: “Lingerie currently available for breast cancer and post-surgery patients is far from aesthetically-pleasing and I want to create products that women will want to wear and that will make them feel good about themselves.
“We have collaborated with doctors, surgeons and nurses to produce a line of bras with the patients’ needs at the forefront of the design. These bras are comfortable, yet pretty – that even the most style conscious would want to wear.
According to the firm, in 2011 14,900 women were diagnosed with breast cancer: the most common type of cancer in the UK, while 1.68 million were diagnosed worldwide. Breast cancer rates have increased by 72% since the mid-1970s.
Ms Dowler said: “If I was to win, this prize would enable me to provide marketing materials to every breast cancer centre in the UK and deliver my product range directly to the women affected during a traumatic period in their lives.
“I know, first-hand, the disappointment and the deterioration in a woman’s confidence when they see what is available on the UK high street. My aim is to bring breast cancer sufferers a range of bras that will make them feel confident and feminine again.”
Richard Branson is calling on the entrepreneurs behind the businesses to pitch for a mixture of hard cash and marketing support. There is £150,000 in marketing support available for the most exciting start-up, with two runners up receiving support worth £50,000.
