Westminster Big Idea Competition

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 workshops and mentoring to support their growth, and finalists can get a share of a £50,000 funding pot.

Banner for the Westminster Big Idea Competition.

Entry categories and prize funding

CategoryLearning outcomesPrize funding

Freelance

Showcase your portfolio

Learn to present your work, earn more as a freelancer, and grow your network.

  • Semi-final: a share of a £8,500 pot
  • Grand final: a share of a £5,000 pot

Ideate

Present a viable business idea

Learn how to build a viable business model, test your concept effectively, and enhance your presentation skills to attract supporters.

  • Semi-final: a share of a £6,050 pot
  • Grand final: a share of a £6,000 pot

Accelerate

Scale up your existing business

Advance your existing business or MVP (Minimum Viable Product), craft a compelling pitch for funding, and develop a plan for long-term financial sustainability.

  • Semi-final: a share of a £11,000 pot
  • Grand final: a share of a £11,000 pot

Total funding available: £50,000

What you will get from the experience

Freelance

  • develop your ability to pitch your work and skills to clients, collaborators and advisors
  • learn how to generate more revenue as a paid professional freelancer
  • grow your network and build your personal brand

Ideate

  • learn how to build a business model for new business ideas
  • develop a strategy to test your concept and communicate it
  • refine your presentation skills to engage potential supporters and attract initial interest

Accelerate

  • grow your existing business or Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
  • deliver a compelling pitch to attract funding
  • plan to make your business financially sustainable

How to apply

To apply, you'll need to do the following:

  • complete an application form
  • submit a one-minute video

Applications for the next Big Idea will open in January 2025. In the meantime, you can register your interest and receive an email once applications open.

Register your interest

Photographs from previous competitions

Feedback from previous participants

"I am really glad that I applied for the Big Idea competition, it was a great opportunity not only for my business idea but for my own personal development. My confidence has grown greatly over the programme as I developed my networking, public speaking and entrepreneurial skills. It changed my university experience, allowing me to interact with a variety of students in other courses and levels of study that I wouldn't normally meet. I started with zero expectations of where my idea could go and kept my mind open to learning as much as I could from the talks and my peers, I was inspired by what I learned and kept refining my idea with the feedback and support I received."

- Grace Tayo, Founder of Tayo Knit 

"Being a part of the Big idea competition has been a great learning experience, allowing me to refine my freelance ‘brand’ and authentically present my ethos in the work projects I undertake, finding the nuances of what makes my individual service stand out. More than this, I have been able to grow in confidence through developing professionalism and skills in public speaking, specifically in pitching. In meeting so many interesting people over the last 6 months, I have also grown my network of peers which has led to meaningful working relationships organically forming outside of university."

- Elijah McDonnell, Freelance Filmmaker and Photographer