WeNetwork open the Big Idea Competition

The Big Idea Competition is Westminster’s annual University-wide student and graduate business competition, supported by Santander Universities UK. The competition encourages and supports students and graduates to develop their entrepreneurial skills, build and grow their businesses.

There are three different entry routes to the competition, including the Freelance category where students and graduates can develop their ability to pitch and present their work, learn how to work as a paid professional freelancer and learn how to find and apply for paid work and commissions. The prize for coming in first place is £2,500, second place is £1,500, third place is £1250 and there is a viral idea award of £750. 

The second entry route is Ideation, where those entering will learn how to build and frame a business model around an idea for a business, pitch and get feedback on how to improve and develop their idea and learn how to work towards a proof of concept and minimum viable product or services. The awards for this category are the same as the freelance category. 

Lastly, the Acceleration category allows entrees to take their existing business to the next level, get investment ready and learn how to build key partnerships, identify a strategy to develop and grow their team and scale production, customer and revenue growth. The winner will receive funding of £5,000, the runner up will receive £3,000, the third-place award is £1,250 and there is a viral idea award of £750. 

Clelia Bevillard, Senior Student Enterprise Manager, said: “We’re very happy to open this fourth edition of the Big Idea Competition as we believe this is a fantastic live project for students and graduates to develop a skillset that will be strongly sought after in their future careers and to expand their networks with valuable industry contacts. Our team will work closely with applicants to ensure they get a great experience from taking part in Big Idea and we look forward to seeing the wide range of innovative ideas our Westminster community will present.”

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 25 March 2022.

Find out more and apply for the Big Idea Competition.