2026 Awards Showcase Application Process
The Emerge Showcase aims to recognise and celebrate student entrepreneurship, provide financial support to accelerate start-up growth, encourage students to develop ideas and launch ventures, and cultivate a more enterprising, innovative, and challenge-led university community.
Submit your application
Awards Showcase Overview
Calling all student and graduate innovators! Do you have a brilliant business idea?
The Emerge: Be Enterprising team is excited to announce its Awards Showcase for 2026.
Supported by Santander Universities and Alumni donations, our Awards Showcase competition is your chance to turn your creative visions into reality.
If you have a game-changing business idea, or are ready to make a real-world impact, we want to hear from you! We're looking for innovative and creative solutions from all sectors – including environmental impact, health, sports, manufacturing, tech, arts, and creative industries.
Whether your idea is just a spark or you've already launched, we are accepting applications at different stages of the business journey. You could be in for winning a share of a £19,000 prize pool!
By celebrating entrepreneurial spirit, we aim to create a thriving environment where problem-solving and ingenuity are rewarded.
This is your chance to gain recognition and win funding to bring your entrepreneurial vision to life.
Learn more about the competition by attending our launch event:
2026 Funding Categories
We're offering funding across three categories depending on your business stage:
- Conceptual Idea: 3 x £1,000
You've got a great idea, but will enough people actually want it?
That's what this category is all about. First, you need to show us there's a real need. Then, you need to show us you've done your homework. What are the current solutions, and why is your idea better? What makes it special?
Finally, back it up with facts! Show us some sketches or early designs and that you’ve thought about the realistic numbers – how many people are you trying to reach, and is that number growing? This proves your idea isn't just a hunch, but something with real potential..
- Idea Development: 2 x £3,000
You've moved beyond just an idea—you're building something real!
This category is for those who are actively creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Think of it as your first working model and now you need to prove people actually want it. We're looking for evidence that you're creating something, with evidence or a plan to put this in front of customers. Show us how you're turning your concept into a tangible solution that people want and prove you're not just building in a vacuum, but creating something with genuine customer validation.
- Gone to Market: 2 x £5,000
You've launched your business and are formally registered.
This category is for established Start-ups who have proven they can attract customers and generate income and are looking for funding for continued development. There should be a viable plan to use this funding to scale or significantly develop the product/service to secure repeatable, ongoing business. We're looking for founders who have a clear vision and a solid strategy for turning their early success into long-term sustainability and success.
2026 Prizes
In addition to our support in launching Start-ups, we also champion enterprising activities and encourage our community to develop their entrepreneurial acumen.
- Freelancers Guild Prize: Share of £400
Aimed at sole traders and freelancers who are using their skills to create products or offer a service. Winners of this award will receive a share of £400 to accelerate the development of their work.
- Student Enterprise Champion Prize: 1 x £100
A current student who does not have a business idea nor are they working in a business. However, they have shown great potential within an existing group, be that a University sports club, society, podcast, CCA or other University associated group.
Application Process
Apply by completing the google form.
If you are applying for the awards, you will be required to submit a pitch deck to explain your business concept.
The deadline to apply is midnight on Tuesday 31st March.
All shortlisted award finalists will be invited to pitch their business ideas in front of our panel of successful entrepreneurs on Thursday 23rd April.
Winners of the prizes will be announced at the Awards Showcase Live Event.
Awards Showcase Live Event
You're invited! Taking place on the Thursday 14th May 2026, we'll be treated to presentations from the winning businesses.
Join us in Mappin Hall to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit from across the University of Sheffield, and network with leading figures within the Sheffield Business ecosystem.
Join us for the Awards Showcase.
Last Years Winners
The quality of the 2025 applications this year demonstrated a marked increase from the previous, with many ventures presenting novel solutions to pressing real-world challenges.
Read about the category winners through the following link:
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