Ten charities from across Sussex will share a staggering £160,000 at this year’s Angels’ Den being held at the Brighton Corn Exchange on November 9.
The event is organised by The Focus Foundation – a grant-giving charitable foundation based in Hove supporting grassroots charities across the UK.
Each charity will deliver a live pitch on the night to the six Angels and the 400+ strong audience, hoping to win a large share of the funding and also to increase exposure for what they do, in front of many influential philanthropic people.
Tickets are now on sale to the general public, and are expected to go fast.
The ten finalists – chosen from more than 100 applications – are:
- FareShare Sussex & Surrey – based in Brighton, redistributing surplus food to Sussex community organisations
- Stop.Breathe.Think – serving Brighton and Hove, providing free online youth mental healthcare
- StrongMen – based in Arundel, helping bereaved men through support and connection
- The Running Charity – in Brighton, using running to support young people experiencing homelessness, together with FMG Project – based in Brighton, empowering young people through fitness and mentoring
- Friends of Woodlands Meed – In Burgess Hill, supporting pupils with additional needs and independence
- Time to Talk Befriending – based in Portslade, connecting older people through friendship and befriending
- Stay Up Late – based in Brighton, supporting people with learning disabilities to thrive
- Figment Arts – based in Worthing, widening access to creative arts and inclusion
- Old Boat Corner Community Hub – based in Brighton, providing a welcoming hub for community connection
- Breadwinners – in Brighton, offering young refugees paid employment through market stalls.
- Chris Goodman, co-founder and trustee of Focus Foundation, said: “We’re very proud to bring Angels’ Den Sussex back to Brighton for a second year.
“This city is full of charities whose work changes lives every day, often without the recognition or resources they need and deserve.
“This is not a competition between 10 charities for funding. Angels’ Den gives them a stage, to demonstrate the amazing work, they do for our communities
“This year we increase to six Angels are who believe in the potential of grassroots charities, bringing funding, experience and connections to the stage.”
The Angels have each provided £12,500 funding, which will be match funded by The Focus Foundation.
They are:
- Sarah Willingham, Entrepreneur, investor and former BBC Dragons’ Den star.
- Sir Rod Aldridge, Business and social entrepreneur, founder of Capita and the Aldridge Foundation.
- Rob Starr, Entrepreneur, author and founder of youth charity the Starr Trust.
- Chris Godsmark, Co-Founder of Limewood Capital and specialist in telecoms and technology investment.
- Sarah Leslie, Co-Founder of ndapt, governance specialist and Trustee of the Clare Foundation
- James Bicknell, Group CEO of Multiply Media Group and Co-Founder of the JLB Foundation.
Katie Gibson, CEO of Focus Foundation, said the night will be a sell-out.
“Your ticket has the power to create change. Every ticket is a donation, and contributes to the Audience Vote, giving you the power to champion the charity that moves you most and help make their vision for lasting community change possible
“When you buy a ticket to Angels’ Den Sussex, you’re not simply taking a seat you’re helping decide where vital funding goes, while supporting these charities to tell their story.”
For more details, go to Angels’ Den Sussex 2026 – Focus Foundation
To buy tickets, click here Angels’ Den Sussex 2026 — Angels’ Den
