VIRGIN StartUp is coming to Brighton with a monthly series of unique evenings starting on July 26.

It is the not-for-profit Virgin company for entrepreneurs who provide government-backed startup loans and one-to-one business advice to entrepreneurs launching or growing a business.

Virgin StartUp events have been developed as an extension of the Virgin StartUp loan programme.

This offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to deep-dive into subject areas relevant to start-ups looking to learn, evolve and scale.

The first evening is themed ‘How to start a food or drinks business’ and will feature three entrepreneurs who have an amazing story to share.

The event on July 26 is taking place at Platf9rm in North Road, Brighton, from 6pm until 8.30pm.

Tickets are £10 and can be bought from Eventbrite.

Dominic Gomez, Virgin mentor and Virgin StartUp event director, Brighton, said: “I really feel that Brighton and the surrounding area has a rich and compelling compliment of innovative startups and entrepreneurs.

“These monthly events are a fantastic platform to show case inspiring business owners, sharing their amazing journeys and stories, as well as offering unique insights and takeaways.”

First speaker is Doug McMaster from Silo.

He fell into cooking after dropping out of school and like a lot of cooks began in the pot wash.

Young, yet determined, Douglas worked in some of the best Michelin-starred kitchens in the UK.

He met the legendary artist Joost Bakker whilst travelling in Australia in 2011 and quickly became executive chef and business partner of ‘SILO by Joost,’ the world’s first waste-free cafe in Melbourne.

On his return to the UK in 2014 he launched the next evolution of SILO.

Jess Titcumb from Twisted Halo is the second speaker.

She took the plunge to step away from her career in interior design to launch her drinks business Twisted Halo in 2016.

Always an entrepreneur at heart, the inspiration for her business came after a spin sweat session followed by a cheeky retox session with girlfriends.

Jess realised she was truly bored of boring drinks and saw a gap in the market for delicious low calories and refreshing drinks.

Krisi Smith and Mike Turner from Bluebird Tea Co. are the last speakers. They were inspired to set up the Bluebird Tea Co. whilst studying politics at university.

They have formed an independent, award winning, tea mixology company with a mission to make people happy with tea!