Emerge: Be Enterprising is inspiring the University of Sheffield community to build business skills, develop innovative ideas and launch ventures.
The service doesn't limit its recognition to student entrepreneurs. It also extends its reach to empower aspiring innovators, particularly freelance creators who are developing prototypes for products, services, or event programmes. By fostering creativity and providing support, the service aims to help students turn their visions into tangible realities.
The Summer Creators Grant aims to ignite student creation and invention by awarding 3 x £1,000 to support the development and testing of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Students with innovative and original ideas are encouraged to apply and turn their early concepts and designs into reality over the summer break.
The grant is open to all students in the Emerge and University community with an idea.
What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?
A 'MVP' or 'MTP' (Minimum Testable Product) is a basic version of your idea that can be shared with real users/customers in order to test core functionality (or certain key features).
Themes and examples MVPs:
- A physical proof of concept eg 3D model, a crafted product or tool (This could be further developed at the University iForge)
- Historical Walking Tour Audio Guide
- A new product of innovative engineering
- A wireframe for a new app or online platform
- Design an online marketplace for a service or product
- Produce a plan for a social/ community enterprise programme
- Develop a framework for an online training course
- Create a prototype for an online tool which improves efficiency or productivity of a service or product
- Speed networking for music industry professionals Launch Event
Application Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed MVP slide deck (maximum 12 slides) outlining the following:
- Concept and Design: Showcase and/or visualise your early ideas and vision for the MVP. What are you creating first to test your idea? For example this could be through: early sketches, a storyboard, 3d modelling images, a wireframe of a platform, a programme or event blueprint.
- MVP Delivery and timeline: Outline your plan for implementing and developing the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) over the summer/early autumn using the grant money detailing key milestones
- Innovation & Value Proposition: What is the uniqueness and potential impact of the proposed MVP.
- Problem & Opportunity: Is there a clear understanding of the desired impact of this project? Explain why this MVP is important and the opportunities it creates for further development.
- User Focus & Validation: Customer Persona and User Journey: A basic diagram depicting the target users and outlining the typical interaction they will have with your MVP.
- Theme and Industry: Explain the industry your project concept would fall under.
- Financial plan and budget: Include a breakdown of how the £1,000 will be allocated (e.g: materials, software, prototyping, user testing, event costs).
- Team: Briefly introduce yourselves (names, roles, relevant skills) to establish credibility.
Apply by completing this simple application that requires applicants to share a link to a Pitch Deck.
For any queries, please email enterprise@sheffield.ac.uk.
Selection Criteria:
Individual or team applications are welcome (maximum team size of 4).
Open to all business ideas across various industries. We encourage submissions tackling current challenges or offering innovative solutions in any field.
Submitted MVP slide decks will be judged by the Emerge team on:
Innovation & Value Proposition: Uniqueness and potential impact of the proposed solution.
Feasibility of MVP Development: A realistic and well-defined plan for utilising the grant money to develop an MVP over the summer.
Problem & Opportunity: Clarity and importance of the problem being addressed.
This funding is not currently available to those who have a Student visa for the UK, due to the specific work conditions attached to this visa category. If you hold a different visa type that does permit business activity/ work then please provide your visa information in addition to the required slides. Please be aware that the Emerge Team may contact Student Support Services to confirm your visa details in some cases.
Competition Timeline
Application Launch: June 11, 2024 (At the Emerge Summer Social)
Application Deadline: July 26, 2024
Shortlisting Announcement: 1 week
Winner Announcement: Mid-August
Recipients will receive the £1,000 in August.
Throughout the summer, winners are encouraged to document their progress and utilise online resources such as booking in a 1:1 with the Emerge team, and using the Resources Hub
Post-Summer Outcomes:
Digital Poster or blog: By the start of the 24/25 Academic (October), grant recipients will be expected to submit a one-page digital poster summarising their plans and progress. Alternatively, you can record your progress in a digital format, so this can be shared online.
Emerge Workshop Presentation: Winners will be invited to present their MVP and learnings in October, sharing their journey with our internal student community at one of our ‘Be Connected’ workshop sessions.
Emerge works in partnership with Santander Universities to deliver this funding opportunity. Winners will gain access to the Santander X Platform to receive the funding.
