Take a Look Inside Virgin’s First Purpose-Led Procurement Showcase

This month, Virgin StartUp hosted our first-ever Purposeful Procurement Expo, a landmark event bringing together procurement, sustainability, brand and finance colleagues from across the Virgin Group to meet a handpicked group of 12 purpose-led founders supported by Virgin StartUp.

Held at Virgin’s London HQ, Whitfield Studios, the day was all about making meaningful connections and exploring how Virgin companies can work with innovative, values-led suppliers to build better business from the inside out.

The event featured an energising panel hosted by Holly Branson, alongside leaders from Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Management, sparking discussion around how purpose can be embedded into procurement decisions across the Group.

Throughout the day, attendees explored a buzzing marketplace and heard live pitches from a remarkable lineup of founders, all building bold, sustainable brands across sectors like food, tech, beauty, energy, and fashion.

Here’s a snapshot of the brilliant businesses in the room:

• Change Please – award-winning social enterprise turning coffee sales into life-changing support for people experiencing homelessness.

• DASH Water – flavoured sparkling water made using wonky fruit to fight food waste.

• Leiho – lifestyle essentials like bamboo socks and caps that give back with every purchase.

• LOVE CORN – crunchy, feel-good snacks made from whole corn kernels in 8 bold flavours.

• Magic AI – the world’s first AI personal trainer mirror, co-created with elite athletes.

• MOTH Drinks – full-strength, bar-quality cocktails in a can - simple, stylish and ready to go.

• Mous – high-performance tech accessories and luggage, now partnered with Mercedes AMG Petronas F1.

• Ocean Bottle – beautifully designed reusable bottles that fund the collection of ocean-bound plastic.

• Oxwash – carbon-neutral commercial laundry with clients across healthcare, hospitality and tech.

• Tem Energy – an AI-powered platform disrupting the energy market with direct, traceable renewable supply.

• UpCircle Beauty – award-winning, upcycled skincare that’s good for your skin and the planet.

• White Red Architecture – the Virgin StartUp-backed team behind the transformation of Whitfield Studios itself.

These businesses are just a glimpse of the 7,000+ founders Virgin StartUp has supported to start, grow, and scale across the UK.

Whether it's AI fitness tech, ocean-saving bottles or circular beauty, these brands are driving innovation and social impact and they’re ready to collaborate across the Virgin ecosystem.

We’re proud to champion purpose-led founders and connect them with teams across Virgin to spark new partnerships, new ideas and new ways of doing business.

Watch this space for more to come.

If you're a founder looking to start your own business, why not take a look to see how Virgin StartUp could support you?