A Landmark Night for Sussex: Over £100,000 Awarded at Angels’ Den Sussex 2025.
On the 6th November 2025, against the backdrop of the Brighton skyline at the Brighton i360, something extraordinary happened…
Couldn’t join us last year, or want to experience the
magic all over again?
Our highlights reel captures more than just the evening. It captures the courage behind every pitch, the collective breath held in a room full of possibility and the moment belief turned into backing.
Press play, and linger in what happens when a community chooses to show up for its charities, together.
10 incredible charities took to the stage at Focus Foundation’s inaugural Angels’ Den Sussex, each given an opportunity to present their project or plan to our panel of Angels, who had the crucial task of directing significant funding to the charities that impressed them the most, and where it would create the greatest impact.
Selected from more than 120 applicants - a powerful reflection of both the scale of need and the strength of innovation across the county - our finalists were chosen to pitch to our Angels, based on their impact, vision, sustainability, and innovative approaches to addressing social challenges.
These charities demonstrated clear objectives, measurable outcomes, strong leadership, and community engagement, as well as the ability to showcase how the funding will directly benefit service users and create long-term positive change.
To ensure they stepped onto the stage with confidence and clarity, each finalist received expert storytelling and public speaking coaching from Marcus Thomlinson, a Motivational Speaker, Leadership Coach, and Business Mentor: https://marcusthomlinson.com/.
Over 200 guests, including civic leaders, business owners, patrons and community champions, gathered for an evening of connection, high-energy pitches and live funding decisions. On the night, five Angels each pledged £10,000, with Focus Foundation matching their commitments pound for pound to create a £100,000 community fund. The funding was allocated live in the room, transforming generosity into immediate, tangible impact for communities across Sussex.
Sarah Willingham - Owner of the i360, Chair of Nightcap, former Dragons’ Den investor.
Martin Gallagher - CEO, The Clare Foundation.
Robb Starr MBE - Founder, Seico Mortgages and The Starr Trust.
Nazila Blencowe - Founder, Baron Homes Corporation.
Chris Goodman - Co-Founder of Focus Group and Focus Foundation.
Total Funding Awarded:
Brighton Table Tennis Club - £25,000 | Youth & Community Development.
The Children’s Respite Trust - £30,940 | Disabled Children.
Grassroots Suicide Prevention -£12,500 | Suicide & Mental Health Support.
The Real Junk Food Project Brighton - £8,750 | Food Poverty & Social Isolation.
The Launchpad Collective - £8,750 | Refugee Employment.
Pelican Parcels - £7,500 | Poverty & Social Isolation.
MindOut - £5,000 | Mental Health Support for LGBTQ+.
Springboard - £5,000 | SEND Services for Children.
Sussex Nightstop - £5,000 | Youth Homelessness.
WOLO Foundation - £5,000 | Family Cancer Support.
Many thanks to our 2025 event Sponsors…
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