Westminster’s Creative Enterprise Centre opens the Big Idea Competition

The Big Idea Challenge is the University’s yearly business competition for Westminster students and graduates, which is supported by Santander Universities UK. The competition empowers students and graduates to develop their entrepreneurial skills and access funding to 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 portfolio and services, and improve their presentation, sales and marketing skills to increase the probability of getting paid client commissions. The prize for coming in first place is £2,500, second place is £1,500, and third place is £1,000, as well as there being two finalist awards of £250 and a viral idea award of £500. 

The second entry route is ideation, where those entering can develop their ability to pitch and present their product or service concepts, build and work towards a proof of concept to show feasibility and a minimum viable product or service, and get guidance on how to build a business model to turn their business idea into a reality. The awards for this category are the same as the freelance category. 

Lastly, the acceleration category allows entrees to develop their ability to pitch and present their business to potential investors, get investment ready and learn how to build key partnerships, and understand customer and revenue growth and how to scale production. The winner will receive funding of £5,000, the runner up will receive £3,000 and the third-place award is £1,000. The two finalist awards are of £250 and the viral idea award is £500. 

Sheila Birungi, Manager of the CEC, said: “We are pleased to launch the third year of the Big Idea Competition, year on year we have been more impressed by the ideas and businesses showcased in the competition. It is a great opportunity for students and graduates to develop their skills and access funding. This year we have added a new Freelance category to promote and support the increasing number of students pursuing professional self-employment careers.”

Find out more and apply for the Big Idea Competition.