Founders Meet Richard Branson & Simon Squibb at Virgin Hotels London

Founders, Purpose and a Little Bit of Magic: An Inspiring Afternoon at Virgin Hotels London.

Virgin StartUp had the incredible privilege of hosting a very special event to mark the official launch of our brand new Virgin Hotel in Shoreditch, London - a stunning new addition to the Virgin family. But this wasn’t just a celebration of bricks and mortar. It was a celebration of purpose, community, and the power of standing out.

To mark the occasion, nine remarkable founders supported by Virgin StartUp were invited to take part in an intimate and informal conversation with two iconic entrepreneurial figures - Sir Richard Branson and Simon Squibb. The session was hosted by Virgin StartUp’s Managing Director Andy Fishburn and offered a unique opportunity for each founder to ask a direct question, drawing insights and inspiration from the journeys of two people who have spent their lives championing entrepreneurs and shaking up the status quo.

A Moment of Connection

The setting was deliberately relaxed, reflecting the kind of open, honest conversation we believe helps founders thrive. There were no stages or spotlights - just real stories, candid advice, and plenty of laughter.

Richard shared the bold moves that have shaped Virgin over the decades, emphasising the importance of staying true to your values which shape the decisions that you make - all peppered with his signature humour and a few brilliant stories. Simon, fresh from hearing hundreds of startup pitches through our Elevator of Dreams campaign, spoke about what makes a founder truly stand out: authenticity, courage, and an unwavering sense of purpose.

The two agreed that the greatest founders are those who don’t try to blend in. They embrace what makes them different, and use it to build something meaningful.

Where Virgin StartUp Founders Take the Lead

The entrepreneurs in the room embodied that spirit. From AI personal trainers and purpose-led gifting brands to innovative bridal wear and bottled bubble tea, every founder brought something unique to the table:

• Joy Timmer, founder of healthy dog food brand Scrumpf

• Yandis Ying, co-founder of Dot Dot Bubble Tea

• Varun Bhanot, founder of MAGIC AI

• Joey Li and Thuta Khin, co-founders of Leiho

• Jess Kaye and Rosie Williams, founders of The Own Studio

• James Griffiths, founder of Mous

• Sonny Wells, founder of Sonny Foods

Each founder had a moment in the spotlight, asking questions that touched on everything from funding and scaling, to resilience and staying true to your mission.

A Hotel with a Purpose

Virgin Hotels Shoreditch has already played host to some special moments in our community - including our 'Elevator of Dreams' where founders get the chance to pitch their ideas directly to Richard and Simon through a ring doorbell. So, it felt especially fitting to bring this group of inspiring entrepreneurs together in this space to connect, reflect and look ahead.

This event reminded us just how powerful it can be when founders are given the time, space and support to ask big questions, share bold ideas, and feel part of something bigger. It’s a reflection of everything we stand for at Virgin StartUp, and a glimpse of the future we’re building together.