Karishma Vijay's victory on The Apprentice 2026 caps a dramatic run that saw two entrepreneurs face a star-studded panel and vie for a six-figure investment
The BBC business contest concluded with a dramatic finale in which two women presented their ventures for a chance at Lord Alan Sugar’s £250,000 backing. After weeks of tasks, tough decisions and pressured boardrooms, the last stage demanded polished branding, robust marketing plans and public pitches to a room of industry figures and familiar faces from the show’s history.
The finale required not just a good product but the ability to sell a vision in front of powerful decision-makers.
Tonight’s conclusion reunited a handful of alumni and former advisers who returned to observe and advise the finalists.
Notable names joined the audience and panel, bringing context and endorsement to the proceedings. Their presence underscored how the programme blends mentorship, publicity and hard commerce: a unique platform where exposure can be nearly as valuable as capital. From seasoned advisers to past winners, the returnees added gravitas to the moment and to the finalists’ pitches.
How the final unfolded
The closing challenge asked the two finalists to develop a full-scale launch plan for their businesses and then deliver a public presentation to a cohort of experts. Each entrepreneur had to illustrate how their proposition would scale, demonstrate market demand and outline the use of an investment. The judging panel, led by Lord Alan Sugar, listened for evidence of sustainable growth, operational readiness and a clear route to profit. After both presentations, a final boardroom discussion dissected strategy and execution before the decision was announced: Lord Sugar selected Karishma as his new business partner.
Pitches, panel and past faces
The final benefitted from returning contributors spanning the show’s two decades. Former advisers Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford reappeared to lend their perspective alongside recent winners including Dr Leah Totton, Ricky Martin and Dean Franklin. Their collective scrutiny examined branding, unit economics and go-to-market plans — all central criteria in Lord Sugar’s evaluation. A notable endorsement came from Baroness Karren Brady, whose positive remarks about the winning pitch appeared to strengthen Karishma’s standing in the final deliberations.
Meet the finalists
Karishma Vijay
Karishma Vijay, a beauty entrepreneur who owns the skincare label Kishkin, entered the final after building momentum for her brand on the series. She described rapid sales growth during filming and highlighted how the show amplified orders and visibility for her products. Karishma conveyed excitement and an awareness of the responsibilities that come with partnership: she acknowledged the pressure to validate Lord Sugar’s decision and the need to demonstrate consistent performance. Her campaign leaned on experience selling beauty products and a narrative of self-made progress, and she relished public recognition from industry figures as validation of her approach.
Pascha Myhill
Pascha Myhill, a recruitment consultant specialising in private healthcare, represented a different sector: workforce supply for care homes, supported living and domiciliary services. Among the youngest finalists in the show’s history, Pascha emphasised that age did not limit ambition — she was intent on launching and scaling a recruitment firm regardless of the outcome. Her pitch focused on operational clarity, candidate matching and sector-specific compliance. Throughout the competition she urged future applicants to be authentic and to understand their motivations, arguing that resilience and a clear purpose sustain entrepreneurs through intense scrutiny.
What winning — and losing — will mean
Lord Sugar’s investment brings more than cash: it provides access to a network, mentorship and commercial know-how that can open doors for distribution, partnerships and further growth. For the winner, the partnership is framed as a fast-track to opportunities that might otherwise take years to secure. For the runner-up, the exposure and practical learning from the series often translate into customers, contacts and a platform to continue independently. Both finalists left with heightened profiles and a suite of lessons about pitching, leadership and brand positioning.
Where to watch
The final was broadcast on BBC One and remains available on BBC iPlayer for viewers who want to review the pitches and assess the selection for themselves. The episode highlighted not only a single winner but the ways television business formats can accelerate young companies by combining capital, counsel and public attention in one high-pressure event.
