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South Bank Ignite, LSBU premier ideas competition, fuels business start-ups, freelancing, innovation, impact, and passion.
Applications for the 2025-2026 competition has closed. But you can be the first to learn about new LSBU competitions and challenges in the future.
No appointment or booking necessary! Drop by to chat about your idea and receive support, tools, resources, and guidance on your next steps.
Date | Detail |
|---|---|
January - March 2026 | Additional support for your South Bank Ignite - Round 1 applicants |
March 2026 | South Bank Ignite - Round 2 Application Deadline |
May 2026 | South Bank Ignite Finals |
June 2026 | South Bank Ignite Awards, Festival, and Marketplace |
October 2026 | South Bank Ignite 2026-2027 Round 1 Application Form Opens |
Directed by Aiden Condron
South Bank Ignite is open to all LSBU students and recent graduates (up to three years). Regardless of your school, degree, or time at university, if you have an idea or passion for a business, you can apply.
All ideas are welcome – whether it’s for a business, freelance service, social enterprise, or side-hustle.
All stages of the idea and business development are eligible! No business knowledge or experience is necessary.
Eligible individuals (LSBU students and recent graduates) may join the South Bank Ignite competition in the Round 1 application between October and January.
Unfortunately, individuals can not join the competition if they miss this Round 1 application deadline.
Sign up for the South Bank Starters newsletter to stay up to date with other opportunities and to receive emails when the next round of the competition opens.
South Bank Ignite offers you:
- An opportunity to express and test your passion or business idea,
- Networks and connections with other LSBU entrepreneurs as well as industry experts,
- Growth (and not a bad CV filler) in entrepreneurial skills – like problem solving, thinking-outside-the-box, pitching and presenting, leadership, and more,
- Funding opportunities with prize money as well as fast-track access to LSBU’s incubator and acceleration programmes taking place year-round.
There is so much to gain – and win – by applying!
When applying, tell us (in a nutshell)
- What the problem or need is,
- How it is currently being solved,
- What your solution is, and
- How your idea or business solves the problem.
Don’t forget to also introduce yourself (and your team) and how you are in the best position to lead this business idea forward.
jameThe South Bank Starters team is here to help you develop your idea – and win at South Bank Ignite. Come to an upcoming Drop-In Idea and Support session or attend the upcoming workshops taking place from October through December.
Competitions offer you a chance to test your idea, network with other innovators and industry experts, gather feedback on your business, build entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and more.
Below are a few external competition and funding opportunities for the LSBU students, alums, staff, and/or community members.
Stay up-to-date on all competitions and challenges by connecting with us on LinkedIn.
The Hult Prize challenges young people around the world to solve the planet's most pressing issues through social entrepreneurship – and giving them $1 million to do it!
Deadline:
Cost: Free
Prizes: Every year, one team receives $1M USD in funding to make their idea a reality.
Award Categories: You can pitch any idea you have for a social enterprise, as long as it is world-changing and aligned with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Eligibility: To apply, you need to be:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Email starters@lsbu.ac.uk or come to a drop-in support session to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://www.hultprize.org/
HelpBnk and Virgin StartUp’s Doorbell of Dreams is now a permanent opportunity at the Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch. Ring the doorbell to pitch your idea in 60 seconds. You may receive feedback from leading entrepreneurs and investors, social media exposure, and/or a free business advisory call.
Deadline: Ongoing
Cost: Free
Prizes: Selected pitches may receive one or more of the following:
Criteria: The pitches will be judged based on originality, impact, and potential.
Eligibility:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your pitch and making the best impression for this competition. Email starters@lsbu.ac.uk or come to a drop-in support session to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://doorbellofdreams.com/
The Entrepreneurship World Cup provides startups at all stages an international stage to develop their ideas, to access a share of a £1 million prize pot, to connect with potential investors, and to be part of a supportive ecosystem.
Deadline: May 2026
Cost: Free
Prizes: Prizes include training, resources, connections, mentorship and more. Plus, the participants have a chance to win a share of the $1 million prize pot with different funding for each category and place.
Award Categories: Award categories are based on business and idea development:
Eligibility:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application. Email starters@lsbu.ac.uk or come to a drop-in support session to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://www.entrepreneurshipworldcup.com/
Founders of the Future is Tech Nation’s flagship international competition for founders aged 25-and-under culminating in a live finale at London Tech Week. Finalists will compete for the chance to win up to £1,700,000 in investment, plus connections and momentum.
Deadline: Thursday, 14 May
Cost: Free
Prizes: 6 finalists will pitch at the London Tech Week live finale which attracts 45,000+ attendees from 128 countries. Winners may take home up to £1.7m in investment and thousands in perks.
Eligibility:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application. Email starters@lsbu.ac.uk or come to a drop-in support session to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://technation.io/programmes/foundersofthefuture/
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrates entrepreneurship in the UK in 18 different categories. Gain national recognition, credibility, and a network of supporters.
Deadline: Sunday, 7 June
Cost: Free
Prizes: Prizes include national recognition, joining a network of the UK’s most ambitious founders, and credibility as a finalist that could open new doors.
Eligibility: Each category has different eligibility criteria. Read the terms and conditions to find which one you may qualify for.
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application. Email starters@lsbu.ac.uk or come to a drop-in support session to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com/
The Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation Scholarship Award supports students working to close the diversity, equity and inclusions gaps in their future aspirations.
Deadline: Tuesday, 30 June 2026 at 5pm
Cost: Free
What’s included:
Award Categories: Scholarships are available across many fields of study and sectors. This relates to your future aspirations. These include:
Eligibility: Students from all races (black, white and asian), nationalities, and social backgrounds are welcome. To be eligible for the scholarship programme, the students must meet all the conditions below:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application. Email starters@lsbu.ac.uk or come to a drop-in support session to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://www.tmbdlf.com/scholarship-programme
The James Dyson Award is an international design award open to current and recent design engineering students who think differently and want to create products that work better.
Deadline: Thursday, 16 July 2026
Cost: Free
Prizes: As well as winning a cash prize, participants gain media exposure to kick-start your career, new networks and communities, and the experience launch your own business.
Eligibility:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application. Email starters@lsbu.ac.uk or come to a drop-in support session to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/home/
South Bank Starters is here to guide, support, inspire, and motivate you. Find ways to connect with the team and your community of entrepreneurial minded individuals. You can email us at starters@lsbu.ac.uk.
