Deadline: September 16, 2016 | Apply here
[Oops, the opportunity has already expired. Sign up to AlphaGamma weekly newsletters to stay ahead of the game]
Eligibility: Open to any current students at a UK university or college, or anyone who graduated after 2011 who runs their own business.
Businesses can either be at an ideas stage or a fully fledged company.
Prize: GBP 10,000
Location: London, The United Kingdom
The NACUE Varsity Pitch 2016
The hunt is on for the best student and graduate business ideas!
The NACUE Varsity Pitch is the UK’s biggest business competition for students and graduates, attracting the most innovative startups exploding out of college and university campuses.
Students and recent graduates can enter into two categories by submitting a 60-second video pitch. The six winners from each of the categories will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas live at the semifinals.
The three-stage competition includes:
- An online public vote
- A boot camp with an impressive line up of mentors
- A grand final with attendees from the media, government, corporate and startup world
This is an amazing opportunity to get your business noticed by some of the biggest companies in the UK.
Varsity Pitch Bootcamp
The six finalists will be joined by the winner of the people’s vote, and put through rigorous enterprise training at the Varsity Pitch Bootcamp in preparation for the Grand Final on November 17, 2016.
The Pitch
Each finalist will have two minutes to pitch their concept to an esteemed panel of industry experts. The winner will take home GBP 10,000,- for their startup.
Categories
- TATA DISRUPTIVE
This category is for the companies that are truly changing the way things are done. If your product or service is improving the market in an unexpected way, this is the category for you.
- TATA SOCIAL IMPACT
Is your business making the world a better place? This category is for social enterprises and ethically conscious businesses.
- GENUINE INNOVATION WITH MICROSOFT
This category is all about new ideas and more effective ways of doing things. If your product or service is unique or improving something that already exists, enter this category.
- CREATIVE & DESIGN
From crafts and music to marketing and publishing, the creative industries are exciting and varied. This category welcomes entries from those whose businesses require a creative flair.
- DIGITAL AND TECHNICAL WITH SWISS RE
Some of the fastest growing businesses in the global economy in the last 5 years have been apps and online ventures. If you think that your app, hardware or online product has the potential to change the status quo, then enter this category.
- IDEAS WITH UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER
Do you believe that your idea will be the next ‘big thing’? Want the chance to develop that idea into a thriving business and to gain the valuable support, mentoring and investment through the NACUE Varsity Pitch Competition? Then you should apply for the brand new ideas category.
- PEOPLE’S VOTE with Lloyds Banking Group (ONLINE VOTE)
One team is given the chance to be fast-tracked from the application stage straight through to the final. This team will have the highest number of digital votes by the application deadline, and will be announced along with our other shortlisted candidates. You do not need to opt into this category as every team will be automatically eligible, you just need to get those votes!
The judging criteria
- INNOVATION
Show how your business will innovate in its field.
Are you shaking up an existing process, service or product with a new angle or approach? Are you creating an entirely new concept? Show your unique selling point, how it differs from competitors and why your business is innovative
Show the demand for your business and your market opportunities.
The judges want to know that you understand your market inside out and know exactly how your business fits into it. Do you have several markets available for your business to thrive in?
Do you have a niche market but a great opportunity? Are you accessing a new market with your idea? Tell how your business connects with its market and the potential (or existing) successes within that.
- FINANCIAL VIABILITY
Tell about the financial viability and stability of your business.
How sustainable is your business? How will you try to prevent financial vulnerability; do you have several routes for sales, opportunities for funding from investment or grants? What is the plan for gaining and maintaining income for the business?
Show how you will manage the costs of starting up, or growing your business. Think about how you can convey this in your video and assure the judges of your success!
- YOUR PITCH
This is a lot to fit into a 60-second pitch.
The challenge of the Varsity Pitch Competition is being able to effectively communicate your business in a short amount of time.
The judges will ask themselves, ‘What is the market opportunity? Is this business viable? Does it innovate?’ Your job is to make sure they have answers to these questions
Campaign for votes
Don’t forget you’ll need to get out there and campaign for votes if you want the best chance of winning. The applicant with the most votes on their profile will be fast-tracked straight to the grand final – so tell your friends, family, customers and suppliers. Then make some noise on social, in the press and beyond.
Get your friends, family, teachers, the next door neighbour… anyone you can think of to vote for your application. They can do this by heading to your application page and clicking the thumbs up icon.
If you share it on social media, remember to use the hashtag #VarsityPitch2016.
The application with the most votes will enter the final. Simple.
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