Spark your passion with the support, community and funding in LSBU's biggest idea competition.
Read more Read moreBe inspired by the ideas that wowed us at the 2024 competition.
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South Bank Ignite, LSBU premier ideas competition, fuels business start-ups, freelancing, innovation, impact, and passion.
You bring an idea! South Bank Ignite will provide the foundation, support, and community to grow as an entrepreneur. Plus, you might walk away with part of the £24K prize pot.
Date | Details |
|---|---|
| Mon., 30 Sept. 2024 | South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 1 Application Open |
| Oct – Dec. 2024 | Ongoing South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 1 Support |
| Mon., 6 Jan. 2025 | South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 1 Application Deadline |
| Tue., 7 Jan. 2025 | South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 2 Application Open |
| Jan – May 2025 | Ongoing South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 2 Support |
| Jan – Feb 2025 | Start-Up London 6-Week Accelerator Programme |
| Mon., 17 Mar. 2025 | South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 2 Application Deadline |
| Wed., 21 May 2025 | South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Semi-Finals |
| Wed., 4 Jun. 2025 | South Bank Ignite Final, Festival, and Marketplace |
Download the South Bank Ignite Round 1 Application Word Document
Download the South Bank Ignite Competition Terms and Conditions
Put Your Best Idea Forward (Info Session)
Download the Put Your Best Idea Forward Presentation
Watch the Zoom Recording
How To Turn Good Ideas Great (Idea Workshop)
Download the How To Turn Good Ideas Great Presentation
Watch the Zoom Recording from 29 October
Watch the Zoom Recording from 31 October
How I Won £3K For My Idea Panel + Q&A with Past Competition Winners.
Watch the Zoom Recording
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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.
South Bank Ignite offers you:
- An opportunity to express and test your passion or business idea,
- Networks and connections with other LSBU entrepreneurially minded folks 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.
Download the Word document of the application to review the information requested, and to work on your answers before submitting the online form.
The South Bank Starters team is here to help you develop your idea – and win at South Bank Ignite. Schedule a 1-2-1 idea feedback meeting through Careers Hub and attend the upcoming workshops or panel discussions taking place October through December.
Apply to the 2025 South Bank Ignite Competition to gain new skills and confidence (plus win big!)
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. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://www.hultprize.org/
Pitch your idea for conscious capitalism ventures that make a profit while also solving a problem in the Texas Christian University Values and Ventures Competition.
Deadline: 17 January 2025
Cost: Free
Prizes: Winners and finalists have a chance to win cash prizes including:
Award Categories: All for-profit, values-cantered enterprises which demonstrate a societal or environmental need to be filled are eligible. Nonprofit ventures are not allowed. Visit the competition website for more information on judging criteria.
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. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://www.neeley.tcu.edu/vandv/
The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge—brought to you by Verizon and Unloc—is looking for the best young talent across Europe and could help you get your business off the ground—or if you’ve already launched, boost it to the next level.
Deadline: 17 January 2025
Cost: Free
Prizes: Applicants will compete to win the overall prize at the grand finals:
Award Categories: Applications will be judged on three key factors:
Eligibility:
Applicants must be:
Business proposals must:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://youngentrepreneurschallenge.com/
The Rice Business Plan Competition helps student founders creating new possibilities in technology, energy, healthcare and more so they can surround themselves with a powerful network; learn what it takes to secure investor funding; hone their pitch; and compete for prize money.
Deadline: 17 January, 2025
Cost: Free
Prizes: In total, more than $1 million in investment and cash prizes are expected to be awarded at the 2024 Rice Business Plan Competition. Prizes are still being confirmed for 2024.
Award Categories: The competition encourages businesses in the following sectors:
Eligibility: You are eligible to apply if your startup:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://rbpc.rice.edu/
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 studententerprise@lsbu.ac.uk.
