Funding support
Big Pitch Competition 2024
29th April 2024, Media City, University of Salford
Turn your business idea into reality and win up to £5,000 in start-up funds!*
Join The Big Pitch Competition 2024 and secure funding to kickstart your business. Whether you're passionate about making a difference, starting your own venture, or freelancing, we welcome applications from all disciplines. Your idea doesn't have to be related to your studies.
Use the funds to cover start-up costs, equipment, marketing, web development, and more.
- Applications for this year's competition are now open.
- Applications close at 12.00 noon on Friday 29th March 2024.
- Shortlisted students will be announced during the week beginning 8th April 2024.
- If shortlisted, you MUST be available to pitch on the day of the grand final.
- The Big Pitch Competition 2024 Grand Final will be held on 29th April 2024 at Media City from 10am - 3pm.
Students who do not have the right to work or become self-employed UK business owners are ineligible to enter the Big Pitch Competition 2024. We encourage these students to enter the £150 Spring Up Award 2024.
Students eligible for the Big Pitch Competition 2024 can also enter the £150 Spring Up Award 2024.
If you have any questions please contact Ingrid Kwadzovi on Teams
How to send your 3 minute virtual pitch
Use PowerPoint: We need to see you in action presenting your business idea using PowerPoint slides. The easiest way to do this is to present directly from your slides in PowerPoint. Take a look at the guidance video - How to Make a Video in PowerPoint - ppt to video (youtube.com)
Criteria
You have 3 minutes to introduce your business idea virtually with the support of your PowerPoint presentation. Your presentation should be concise and clear. We need to see you presenting and your PowerPoint slides on the video. Please begin your video by stating your full name and student ID number. These details should also be clearly indicated on your slide(s).
To assist you, we have included some questions that may guide your presentation:
- What is your business idea?
- How does it solve a problem or fulfill a need?
- What makes your idea unique or different?
- How do you plan to use the money you receive?
Those applying must:
- Have the relevant permissions to start a business in the UK.
- Have previously engaged with the Careers & Enterprise Team.
- Be able to provide evidence that there is a need for your business using market research.
- Have a business idea that is sustainable. For example, this can't be a one-off project; it must be a business that will hopefully make enough profit to sustain itself.
- Have an idea that has the potential to start trading within the next 12 months.
- Have an idea, product, or service that operates within the law.
- Be a current student studying at the University of Salford or recent graduate (within one year).
- Be entitled to work as an employee or on a self-employed basis within the UK.
- Pre-register and attend in full, one of the Start-Up Schools delivered by the University of Salford Careers & Enterprise Team in 2023/24.
- Provide and confirm their bank details so that the funds can be transferred.
£150 Spring Up Award 2024
Deadline 2pm, 29th March 2024
Secure funding of £150 for your business idea. Open to all current University of Salford students, regardless of discipline or study focus. This funding is designed to support budding entrepreneurs like you.
We have a limited number of £150 Spring Up Awards. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply early.
Shortlisted students will be announced during the week beginning 8th April 2024.
To qualify, simply follow these three steps:
1) Complete an online video survey
Record yourself on any device (i.e. phone, tablets, webcam…) answering the following three questions. Please begin your video by stating your full name and student ID number.
Please note: We may use the videos for our Careers and Enterprise marketing promotion.
- What more can the Enterprise team do to foster entrepreneurial spirit and innovation among students?
- Why do you think incentives and events like the £150 Spring Up Award and Big Pitch Competition matter?
- What advice would you give to students who are disinclined to put themselves forward for enterprise workshops, activities and competitions?
Send your videos to Ingrid Kwadzovi on Teams
2) Attend at least one enterprise workshop or start up school
- Start-up school for freelancers: 21st March 10am-1pm (online)
- What does it take to become an entrepreneur?: 22nd March 1-1:50pm (face to face)
- Start-up school on how to pitch: 25th April 10am-2pm (face to face)
3) Register and attend the Big Pitch Competition on 29th April 2024
If you have any questions, please contact Ingrid Kwadzovi on Teams
Crowdfunding
Bring your innovative project to life with FundUs, the university's dedicated crowdfunding platform for student success.
Receive expert guidance from the Alumni Engagement team to manage your project and create a compelling crowdfunding campaign. Harness the power of the internet and social media to raise funds for your project or resource.
For more information, contact supporters@salford.ac.uk. Start turning your ideas into reality today!
Speak to a Small Business Adviser
Our Small Business Advisers are on hand to help. Book an appointment or call +44 (0)161 295 0023 (option 5).
Appointments are available for current students and graduates of the University of Salford only.