Calling all innovators and changemakers! The Emerge: Be enterprising team is thrilled to announce its inaugural Awards Showcase, taking place on Tuesday April 30th.

Are you a staff, 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. 

The event is proudly supported by Santander UK Universities.

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.

Key Deadlines:

Applications Close - 29 March 2024, Start of the Easter Holidays

Round 1 Shortlisting - 1st week of the Easter Holidays

Round 2 Finalist Selection Day (presenting to a judging panel) - Wednesday 17th April 

Awards Showcase - Tuesday 30th April 

The aims of the annual Event are:

• Recognise and celebrate entrepreneurial based activity across the university

• Accelerate future growth of projects/start-ups by awarding financial support

• Incentivise students to develop ideas and launch ventures throughout their time at the university

• Drive a culture and behaviour change towards a more enterprising, innovative, challenge-led community

Soul Kitchen: The perfect recipe for launching a business at University

Bella Acland Founder of Soul Kitchen , Emerge: Be enterprising member

After inventing the business idea during a Western Bank study session, Bella Acland is launching Soul Kitchen into the UK healthy food market. Find out how engaging in the University enterprising community helped Bella develop her product.