Description
Calling all innovators and changemakers!
Are you a student or recent graduate bubbling with brilliant business ideas? This is your chance to shine! We're searching for a diverse range of ground breaking proposals across 4 key categories, with a game-changing £3,000 prize awarded to each main winner.
This is your golden opportunity to gain recognition for your entrepreneurial spirit and leave your mark on the University community. Don't miss out!
The event is proudly supported by Santander UK Universities.
The aims of the annual Event are:
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Recognise and celebrate entrepreneurial based activity across the university
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Accelerate future growth of projects/start-ups by awarding financial support
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Incentivise students to develop ideas and launch ventures throughout their time at the university
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Drive a culture and behaviour change towards a more enterprising, innovative, challenge-led community
Emerge Awards
- Enterprising Project of the Year - £3000
Non-commercial initiative, that has the potential to become a viable innovative startup.
- Start-up of the Year - £3000
Commercial business that is delivering tangible results to customers through an innovative product or service
- Community Venture of the Year - £3000
Venture that gives back to people, enriches communities and makes a contribution to society.
- Sustainability Venture of the Year - £3000
Venture that prioritises sustainability and the environment through a product and/or service that has a minimal impact on the planet.
- Rising Star of the Year - £500
An aspiring entrepreneur that leverages their energy, creativity, and adaptability to actively engage in enterprising activities, and generate ideas and solutions that cater to the needs and interests of their generation.
- Enterprising Champion of the Year - The Deal Prize
Recognises outstanding service to enterprise education or provision
The Showcase Awards are open to all students and recent graduates within the three last years (from May 2024, when the next event will take place) and also staff from across the University.
If you have a business idea and are considering applying, would you be able to answer the following questions?
- What problem that you have identified
- Who are the main users who have this problem and will benefit from your solution.
- What your business idea and the proposed solution to the problem.
- What are the resources that you/your team has and why you are best placed to solve this problem
- What would be the community impact that will be realised as a result of your idea/business
- How would the prize money would benefit your idea/business and what it might go towards
Key Deadlines:
2025 Applications TBC
Applicants are expected to be available to pitch and present their business ideas. This will be expected as a short 5 minute presentation, ideally with slides to a judging panel. Winners of the Awards will go on to present their business at our inaugural Awards Showcase Event
