UK femtech and lingerie brand Evenly has won first place (and awarded £7,500) at the Small Business Sunday (#SBS) x NatWest Accelerator Live Pitch Competition, hosted by retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, after pitching live at #SBSEvent2026 in Birmingham.
Founder Kate Taylor was selected as one of just three businesses invited to pitch live from more than 100 applicants, presenting to a judging panel including broadcaster and campaigner Katie Piper OBE and senior business leaders, and securing the £7,500 top prize.
Evenly creates non-surgical solutions that rebalance the bra to improve comfort, support and confidence for women with uneven breasts, and has grown into a profitable global business serving thousands of customers in over 40 countries.
Kate Taylor said:
This recognition is powerful validation for the work we’re doing – supporting women who have often been overlooked and building a category that truly puts their needs first.”
Announcing the winner, Theo Paphitis said:
All people have ideas, but the difference is getting off your backside and doing something about it and creating a business. Having looked at the product and done my research on you, I know you’re going to be a big success – congratulations.”
Katie Piper OBE added:
I thought your pitch was brilliant – I really understood what you do and why you’re doing it. It’s a clear problem and you have a solution. For so long women have been told to put up and stay silent with so many problems that have a stigma and a taboo attached to them, and we want more – and you’re delivering that.”
Taylor has previously received the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award, won Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and received national recognition for export and entrepreneurship, reflecting the company’s strong track record of innovation and growth. The award will support Evenly’s continued international expansion and development of next-generation product innovation.
The competition took place at the ICC Birmingham on 20 February as part of #SBSEvent2026, bringing together more than 1,000 entrepreneurs and business leaders.
