Finalists from across the UK have been announced in the Pitch to Rich competition to find the next great British start-up.

Entrants making it to the final stage include Carl Thomas of Audiowings, which is developing headphones that wirelessly connect directly online platforms like Spotify via 3G.

Chris Thorpe, former chief technology officer with Moshi Monsters, made the final with I Can Make, a business selling fun and educational things to make on 3D printers.

Other finalists include Boxhug, a storage service that collects, stores and returns items to customers; and PecoPoncho, a disposable outerwear business that implants seeds in its clothes which grow after the product is put into compost.

The final, in which entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to Sir Richard at his Oxfordshire home, will take place on 13 May. Winners get £5,000 investment and mentoring.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said: “I always look forward to judging the Pitch to Rich final and this year we have been impressed by the quality and ingenuity of the pitches we have received.

“I look forward to meeting all of the finalists and wish them all the best of luck with taking the stage on the day and showing us what their businesses are capable of.”