Calling all ideas! Win £1000 by pitching your brilliant idea and the problem it solves.
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The South Bank Ignite £1,000 Problem Pitch challenges you to present how you would solve a problem with your unique business, freelancing, innovation, social enterprise, or side hustle solution..
Test your idea, get support, grow your network, and win £1,000!
Apply by Sunday, 1 November at 23:59.
Pitch the problem you are looking to address, who experiences the problem, and how your solution uniquely addresses the issue.
Date | What's Next |
|---|---|
1 October - | Apply to the South Bank Ignite £1,000 Problem Pitch competition 1. Complete the written application to share more information about the problem, your solution, and you! 2. Record a max 1-minute video to accompany your application. Show your spark, creativity, and determination. |
Sun., 1 November | South Bank Ignite £1,000 Problem Pitch Application Deadline |
Before | Results for who will pitch their problems and solutions in the Final Competition |
Thurs., 12 November or | Mandatory Participant Bootcamp |
Thurs., 3 December | South Bank Ignite £1000 Problem Pitch |
Download the Written Application as a Word Document
The South Bank Ignite £1000 Problem Pitch Competition online application cannot be saved. Prepare your answers in the Word document before copying and pasting them into the form.
Download Tips for your South Bank Ignite £1,000 Problem Pitch Video Submission
Showcase your knowledge, creativity, and passion in a 1-minute video to be uploaded with your written online application.
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 £1000 Problem Solving Pitching Competition online by Sunday, 1 November at 11:59 pm.
Unfortunately, individuals can not join the competition if they miss this 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 how you are in the best position to lead this business idea forward.
The 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 in the Autumn.
No appointment or booking necessary! Drop by to chat about your idea and receive support, tools, resources, and guidance on your next steps.
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 Young Entrepreneurs Challenge, brought to you by Verizon and Unloc, supports 16–25-year-olds with world-impacting business ideas get off the ground or boost it to the next level.
Deadline: Friday, 9 October
Cost: Free
Prizes: Prizes include:
Judging Criteria: 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. Email starters@lsbu.ac.uk or come to a drop-in support session to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://youngentrepreneurschallenge.com/
Learn, network, and boost the profile of your new business at the Tata Varsity Pitch competition, a UK-wide, early-stage competition celebrating new ideas developed by current students and recent graduates.
Deadline: Sunday, 18 October 2026
Cost: Free
Prizes: Winners will receive cash prizes:
All Category Winners, the Champion and the Runners Up will receive artwork that they can use to promote their success on their websites, CVs and social media as well as being invited to participate in an alumni programme with mentoring from Tata Group companies that will last throughout the academic year.
Eligibility: To be eligible to apply, you must 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.varsitypitch.org/
TigerLaunch elevates student founders around the world, connecting them with local ecosystems and international opportunities. Plus, participants can win mentorship from leading VCs and the grand prize is $60,000 with no strings attached.
Deadline: Sunday, 25 October 2026
Cost: Free
Prizes: The grand prize is $60,000 with no strings attached. There are also regional prizes, mentorship opportunities, and access to our extensive alumni network of successful entrepreneurs and investors.
Eligibility: TigerLaunch is open to all current students (undergraduate and graduate) from any university worldwide. Teams can be formed with students from different institutions.
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://tigerlaunch.com/
The Bright SCIdea Challenge is designed for budding entrepreneurs to develop their business skills and pitch a scientific idea for a product or service that they believe could be commercialised to benefit society.
Deadline: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Cost: Free
Prizes: Participants will have the opportunity to:
Eligibility: Eligibility and guidelines include:
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.soci.org/careers-support/bright-scidea.
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