DBACE 2024 overview
The Finalists
Judges for DBACE 2024
We were delighted to bring together a group of experts to judge DBACE 2024. Panel members drew on extensive professional expertise across the creative industries and have many years of experience in leadership, alongside setting up and supporting new businesses.
Bola Awoniyi, Co-founder and COO of Black Ballad and DBACE alumni (winner of DBACE 2019)
Felicia Meyerowitz Singh, Co-founder of Engage Smarter
Karen Abbott, Managing Director, Global Head of Corporate & Investment Bank, KYC and Client Onboarding, Deutsche Bank
Mohan Yogendran, Managing Director of Talent Circles and chair of MeWe360
Tamara Howe, Director for Commercial & Operations at Naked Television
The winner announcement
DBACE 2024 returned to The Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) on July 10th to honor and celebrate the winners of this year’s competition.
The awards were hosted by the esteemed Brenda Emmanus OBE, television and radio broadcaster and journalist. The event featured speeches from Deutsche Bank judge Karen Abbott and MeWe360 CEO Louise Nkosi, who congratulated the winners and finalists of DBACE 2024. Louise Nkosi also welcomed the winners to MeWe360, the delivery partner, which will provide support and work with the entrepreneurs over the next 12 months.
Support offered throughout DBACE 2024
The DBACE programme is purpose-built to provide opportunities for inspiration, connection and development throughout the application process.
Online Resources: A selection of valuable free resources includes expert videos, a guide to thinking about business plans, a resource directory, application tips, video pitch advice, an A-Z glossary, and more. Whether or not the entrepreneur applied to DBACE, the downloadable resources were available for all to benefit.
Information & Guidance Sessions: We hosted a series of events, including webinars, meet-and-greets, and, with support from local partners, 1:1 application support across the UK. A pitching workshop and practice sessions were also organised for the shortlisted applicants to prepare for the next stages.
Applicant Resources: DBACE 2024 focused on areas where creatives expressed the most need for support. This included a Financial Forecasting webinar, a 90-minute advice and guidance session, and the Application Writing webinar, both invaluable for DBACE submissions. Visit our video section to view previous webinars.
Newsletters: A series of newsletters was compiled with competition updates, tips, and advice. To join the growing community and receive the next dose of guidance sign up here.
Application Form Prompts and Advice: Tips and prompts are included within the online application form and FAQs to help applicants respond to each question.