At AllBright, we’re on a mission to help ambitious female founders access the funding and expertise they need to scale their businesses. If those businesses have a positive social, economic or environmentally conscious impact on the world, that’s the cherry on top.

That’s why we teamed up with BMW i, the innovative range of all-electric BMW models that holds sustainable mobility at its heart. Together, we hosted ‘iPitch With Purpose’ – a pitch day with a conscious twist that passed the mic to purpose-led female founders seeking funding to fuel their growth.

One of these inspiring women is Jasmine Cannon-Ikurusi, Founder of The Sapphire Community Group, who won the BMW i ‘Pitch Of The Day’ award, leaving no doubt she pitched with purpose. The prize included a three-month loan of a brand new all-electric BMW iX3, giving her first-hand experience of e-mobility and much-needed support for the running of her business.

So, we caught up with Jasmine to find out more about her socially conscious business and how she got on with her BMW iX3 loan.

What’s your mission with the Sapphire Community Group?

For over seven years, the Sapphire Community Group has been working in Southwark, Islington, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Lewisham, Greenwich, Camden, and Lambeth. We have worked with over 5,000 young people to date, especially those from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds. The Sapphire Community Group (The Sapphire Foundation) aims to equip young people to not only be the best version of themselves but also inspire them to have a genuine insight into what they would like to pursue in the near future. More importantly, the community group is put in place to make a major contribution in order to give a voice to the voiceless; this is done by providing a platform for young people to find and understand more about their callings.

We are an organisation that aims to restore, revive, and rebuild a divided generation. One that accepts everyone and encourages individuals to be true to themselves. We work with 5-30 year-olds around the world and we instil the message of love, but most of all, self-worth. We seek to empower and stabilise a segregated community. The sole purpose of The Sapphire Community Group is to build people up. Moreover, we ensure that each individual finds what they are meant to do in life. Through mentoring, coaching, literature, entertainment, events, and workshops, we aim to provide a platform and pathway for young people all over the world to find their calling. Additionally, we will attempt to help each individual believe they can create a change for the extraordinary. We aim to teach and inspire individuals to believe in themselves and see their full potential.

Describe your experience at the ‘iPitch With Purpose’ event to us.

Being at the ‘iPitch With Purpose’ event was amazing. It was fun being in a space with brilliant and amazing women. I felt so empowered listening to everyone speak and sharing the experience with women who have similar career paths to myself. I can’t wait for the next one, once again in partnership with BMW i, on the morning of Wednesday 7 December 2022. Click here to apply now.

You were awarded the BMW i ‘Pitch Of The Day’, how did that make you feel?

To be awarded the BMW i ‘Pitch of The Day’ by BMW UK Marketing Director, Michelle Roberts, was an amazing shock. It meant so much to us at Sapphire, as the car has helped us get around supplies more easily and been a beneficial tool to us. Our kids and the team were extremely excited about the car, and it just meant so much to us to be awarded an all-electric BMW iX3 for three whole months. We genuinely are so grateful that we were able to receive this.

A message from BMW: BMW was delighted to have helped Jasmine with her business and learn that she’s had such a positive experience driving the iX3.

This is one of the latest models in the BMW i range – a versatile and spacious all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle, with a high level of standard features and the latest innovative BMW technology.

How has the ‘iPitch With Purpose’ event helped you and your business?

It has helped me to figure out how I want the rest of the year to go. I definitely took the time to sit down and figure out what goals I want to reach and how I can approach Sapphire’s strategy to reach our community. The event has helped me to gain more perspective on how I want to continue with Sapphire.

Since the ‘iPitch With Purpose’ event, what changes have you made and seen in your business?

We’ve worked more as a team since the event. After having such a good time and receiving the great BMW iX3 loan, we all have a new attitude. This summer we held B.I.Y Summer School, which is a free programme for children to do a plethora of activities and go on trips. As a team, we’ve been more connected this time around and have had an amazing time together.

How has the all-electric BMW iX3 loan helped you and your business?

The BMW iX3 loan has helped us move quicker in getting supplies where they need to be and just works as a handy tool in providing storage and transporting our team and sometimes youths. We are so grateful to have a sustainable way to ride around the city.

Congratulations on recently passing your driving test! How have you found driving the all-electric BMW iX3?

It has been so much fun. Who knew after passing my driving test that I would have such a sweet treat to ride around in? It’s a smooth sailing experience that I don’t want to end.

What advice would you give other early-stage purpose-driven female founders?

To move at your own pace. At times it can feel aggravating because you feel like you should be in one place and you’re not or you’re struggling but that’s okay. Everyone moves at their own pace – there is so much to learn and you shouldn’t rush it. Just make sure that your goals are clear and you have a strong plan to start seeing your dreams through.

What does the future look like for you and your business?

The future of The Sapphire Community Group is expanding internationally through community groups and partners. We want to be able to spread the mission of Sapphire while providing for youths all over the world. We hope to continue to provide amazing activities for the youths, whilst also helping them figure out what they want to do in life. We want to continue to produce documentaries, informative workshops, radio shows, and more. Just continuing to be a pillar in our community and provide necessities and opportunities for families.

Feeling inspired? If you’re a female founder with a purpose-led business like Jasmine and the Sapphire Community Group, apply now for our next ‘iPitch With Purpose’ event hosted in partnership with BMW i and the chance to meet Jasmine on Wednesday 7 December, 2022 at AllBright Mayfair.