3 amazing competitions you should know about if you want to start your own business

We have three fantastic enterprise schemes taking place across the University over the next few months. You can find out more about each scheme below.

Santander Universities are supporting all three initiatives, believing it is important to provide access to education as a means of helping people to prosper.

  1. The Enterprise Fund

The Enterprise Fund is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students who would like to secure funding for their business idea.

If you are successful in your application, you could secure up to £500 worth of funding that you can spend on:

  • Training courses that will help you to develop your entrepreneurial skills
  • Seed funding that you can use to develop your business idea
  • Funding for travel to enterprise competitions

A number of successful applicants will have the opportunity to work with industry experts to gain valuable experience in developing business plans, personal branding and financial management training. Successful applicants will also have access to a graduate mentor who will support them throughout their journey with advice and guidance.

The Enterprise Fund is managed by the Development and Alumni Relations team.

Deadline: Friday, 9 November 2018
How to apply: Visit the Enterprise Fund webpage to apply
More information: Visit the Enterprise Fund webpages or contact Ivy Sala, Supporter Engagement Officer

  1. Liverpool Start-Up competition

The Liverpool Start-Up competition encourages undergraduate student entrepreneurs to submit a business pitch to a panel of judges.

Applications for the competition are now closed, however we encourage students who are interested in starting their own business to get involved. Students will be uploading their business pitches online. You can vote for your favourite pitch from Monday, 5 November.

Get involved: Applications for the Liverpool Start-Up Competition have now closed, but you can vote online for your favourite pitch. Watching the pitches might help you think about your own business idea.
More information: Visit the Liverpool Start-Up competition webpage or contact Lee Wainwright, Employability Projects Officer.

  1. Western University World’s Challenge Challenge

The Western University World’s Challenge Challenge invites students from around the world to provide a solution to a global issue.

To take part, teams of three students need to pick an issue to tackle. You will then need to present your unique solution to this issue to a panel of academic and community leaders. Your presentation and idea will be judged, and the winning team from our University will travel to Canada in June 2018 to compete at the international finals.

The overall winners will take home one of the following prizes:

  • First Prize: $30,000 (CAD) presented to the winning team.
  • Second Prize: $15,000 (CAD) presented to the team finishing in second place
  • Third Prize: $7,500 (CAD) presented to the team finishing in third place

We’re running a information and networking session next month where you can find out more about the Challenge. The event is taking place in the Management School Atrium and you can register for the session via Career Hub.

The Wester University World’s Challenge Challenge is managed by the Study Abroad team.

Deadline: Sunday, 3 February 2019
How to apply: Visit the Western University World’s Challenge Challenge webpage to apply
More information: Visit the University World’s Challenge Challenge webpage or contact Rich Dunning, Deputy Head of Study Abroad.