Students can enter the competition for free, simply by uploading their business pitch to YouTube and filling out a short entry form. Judges will then select regional finalists, with the 12 best start-ups appearing in the grand final in London on December 10. Entrants will compete across four categories, including fintech, social enterprise, mobile apps, and women in business.
“Apparently one in four students within higher education now want to start a business or have already done so,” said Keith Chaplin-Mabbutt, entrepreneur and founder of The Grad Factor.
“Knowing the importance that entrepreneurs have for economic growth, innovation and job creation we want to fully harness this fantastic potential and support budding entrepreneurs to provide them with the skills and resources they need to help build their ideas into successful and sustainable businesses.”
The competition is open for video entries from September 28, with the bus tour kicking off at the University of South Wales on October 6. Using sponsor NatWest’s 1966 Routemaster bus, the tour will then take in a number of major cities, including Exeter, Bath, London, Birmingham and Manchester, before finishing in Edinburgh on 30 October.
“We’re using the NatWest Business Bus to get out and help entrepreneurial talent and start-ups in universities across the UK,” said Julie Baker, head of enterprise at NatWest.
“By collaborating with experts from The Grad Factor team, StartUp Britain, university enterprise societies and business incubators and accelerators, we hope together to provide a broader range of support to entrepreneurial students, help them realise their business ambitions, and support them to become investor-ready through The Grad Factor contest.”
The bus tour events will provide students with the opportunity to refine their pitches, and liaise directly with the competition’s organisers before submitting their entries. Deadline for entries is midnight on Saturday 31 October.
To enter or find further information, visit www.gradfactor.tv
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