The Westminster Big Idea Competition is the University’s annual University-wide student and graduate business idea and innovation competition, in partnership with Santander Universities UK.
The competition encourages and supports applicants to develop their entrepreneurial skills and to build and grow their businesses. Participants will get access to upskill workshops to support their growth, with the opportunity to win a prize from a £50,000+ prize fund including mentoring.
How to enter
To enter, you'll need to do the following:
- complete a form
- submit a one-minute video
Use the link below to join our platform and submit your entry. If you’ve previously engaged with WeNetwork programmes you may already have an account.
Key dates
- 3 February 2025 – entries open
- 3 February, 24 February and 17 March – online information sessions
- 3 February at 5pm – Click here to join
- 24 February at 5pm – Click here to join
- 17 March at 5pm – Click here to join
- 26 March – entries close at midnight
- 14 and 15 April: two-day upskill bootcamp
- 14 April (in-person)
- 15 April (online)
- 7 May – deadline to apply to pitch for funding at the Grand Final
- 2 June – rehearsals with selected finalists (in-person)
- 3 June – Grand Final (in-person)
- Between June & August – finalists' book 1on1 online mentoring sessions
Entry categories and prize funding
| Category | Learning outcomes | Prize funding |
|---|---|---|
Freelance | Showcase your portfolio Earn more with effective pricing and a strategic sales plan. Perfect your brand, define your target audience and other aspects of managing a freelance business. Learn how to present your portfolio of work and services to attract clients. | Grand Final: a share of a £10,000+ pot (prizes range from £750 - £2500; prize amounts may vary) |
Ideate | Present a viable business idea Perfect your business model and progress your idea to a launch-ready business with an identified route to market. Enhance your presentation skills and learn how to communicate your idea to attract supporters. | Grand Final: A share of a £20,000+ pot (prizes range from £1000 - £3000; prize amounts may vary) |
Accelerate | Grow and scale your existing business Advance your existing business or MVP (Minimum Viable Product) by perfecting your go to market model and turning it into an effective marketing plan. Craft a compelling pitch deck for securing funding and use storytelling to connect with your listener. | Grand Final: A share of a £20,000+ pot (prizes range from £1250 - £5000; prize amounts may vary) |
Total funding available: £50,000+
Rising star
A Rising Star Award of £250 will be presented to runner up participants who have attended in full the 2-day upskill bootcamp and have submitted their final pitch deck but are not selected to pitch at the Grand Final.
Certificate
A certificate of participation will be presented to all participants who attend the 2-day upskill bootcamp and submit an application to pitch at the Grand Final.
Eligibility criteria
The competition is open to all students currently enrolled on a course (across all levels, courses, and modes of study) and recent graduates having completed their degree (no earlier than 2020) at the University of Westminster and for business ideas operating in the UK – Big Idea prizes are paid into UK bank accounts only.
International students on a Study Visa are not eligible for the Freelance and Accelerate categories due to legal restrictions on visa holders undertaking any form of self-employment or business activity work in the UK whilst under that visa. Visa holders are eligible to enter the Ideate category with a focus on presenting their business plan.
Applicants need to be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at the University of Westminster for the full duration of their course.
Scoring and selection criteria
Freelance
Evidence of work, experience and skills: the applicant has shown evidence of their work, experience and skills through previous projects and the ability to communicate their strengths
Potential for impact: there is potential to make a positive impact on their industry or community
Viability and feasibility: the applicant shared a clear and realistic plan to develop their activity and is likely to be successful
Commitment to building a substantial freelance activity: the applicant is committed to establishing and growing a successful activity
Commercial awareness: the applicant demonstrated how they would meet their financial goals through their work
Ideate
Innovation: the business idea is innovative and has the potential to disrupt and add value to a market or sector with clear differences from competitors
Market research: the applicant demonstrated the research they completed that underpins their business idea
Viability and feasibility: the applicant shared a clear and realistic plan to develop their activity and is likely to be successful
Desirability: the applicant demonstrated the demand for their innovative product/service from potential customers or users
Product: there is a clear plan to develop the business idea into a working prototype or minimum viable product
Accelerate
Potential for impact: the business has the potential to make a significant impact on a specific industry, market or community
Quality of innovation: the business incorporates a feasible and credible new technology, technology application, business model or process
Traction and viability: the business has already gained some initial traction through an MVP or recent launch and shows early signs of commercial success
Scalability: the business can be expanded and grown to reach a larger market or audience
Competitive advantage: the business has a unique advantage over competitors in the market
Expectations when taking part in the Big Idea
Participants applying to enter the Big Idea competition agree to abide by the WeNetwork Statement of Service.
All applicants are invited to access support during the Big Idea upskill bootcamp. The Big Idea competition involves a selection process based on a clear criterion and not all applicants will reach the Grand Final. Decisions made by the WeNetwork team are final.
Photographs from previous competitions
Feedback from previous participants
“I would describe my time with the Big Idea competition as an experience I will never forget. It was truly game-changing for my career and has contributed significantly to my personal and professional development. The Big Idea has accelerated the beginning stages of my freelance business and helped me transform an idea into a viable business.
During the bootcamp I gained a strong understanding of what it takes to run a freelance business, how to land clients, the importance of branding and marketing, understanding the legalities, finances etc. Similarly, the mentoring supported me in taking actionable steps to building my business, including building a website, strengthening my portfolio and refining my brand. I received helpful creative and business advice from an expert in freelancing, giving me confidence whilst I set-up my business” – Ellie Schuetze, Freelance Finalist
"The funding I received during the Big Idea really helped me upgrade my skills. It allowed me to get a new laptop, which is my main working tool, enabling me to take on more work and reduce the turnaround time for projects. It also covered my travel expenses, which allowed me to attend three festivals where I showcased my latest film.
Big Idea helped me believe in myself as a freelancer and commit fully to making my freelance business my main source of income. Since applying for the competition, I have grown immensely as a public speaker and have greatly improved my understanding of business evaluation and strategy, all owing to the mentorship that was provided to me. It also acted as a bridge, connecting me to so many industry professionals, helping me expand my network and reach new clients. Notably, one of my new clients was someone I met at the Big Idea”
– Lada Kapytova, Freelance Finalist
“I don’t come from a business background, so the mentoring, workshops, funding and learning have been incredibly helpful. Having access to a go-to-market specialist was fantastic for helping us create a viable concept. I’ve really enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to anyone, even if you don’t have a business background. It’s just so valuable.
My experience with the Big Idea has been incredibly rewarding. The support from the WeNetwork team has been exceptional, guiding me every step of the way. I’ve since progressed from an early-stage idea to a fully developed concept with a solid budget, a timeline, and key contacts. This transformation was made possible by the market research I conducted, which was expertly guided by a go-to-market specialist. As a result, I now have a clear plan of action to move forward with confidence.
– Nicole McGregor, Ideate Finalist
"Honestly, WeNetwork and the Big Idea Competition have been a real push for me. I had this idea — I wanted to do something beyond just studying, like developing my own business and WeNetwork gave me exactly what I needed. From their SkillsLab series to the whole Big Idea Competition, and the funding, it was a huge help. They really inspired me to move forward and develop my idea. It’s been perfect, and I’d definitely recommend it to every student."
– Maryam Seyedsalehi, Ideate Finalist
“The Big Idea Competition has been an extraordinary process to go through on both a personal and professional level. I think the Big Idea Competition has shown me the support is out there to continue the success of my brand that I’ve enjoyed as a student, whilst tackling the challenges that come with needing a new space to work and new equipment etc.
The bootcamps were a real turning point for me, where I started to take more vague notions and concepts about the long-term vision for my business, and mold them into much more fine points to be understood by others in a clear, concise presentation. Having a framework to build around was invaluable to me, and no doubt will be something I refer to for years to come in future decks I need to create.
– Joseph Brimicombe, Accelerate Finalist