The competition is open to teams with at least one current University of Cambridge student or alumnus (you don’t have to be from Wolfson!), fostering an environment of creativity and collaboration. Now in its fourth year, the competition is a platform for entrepreneurial exploration and innovation within the Cambridge community.
“The competition is a super idea for any Cambridge students and alumni ready to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into a reality. I’m glad to Chair this community at Wolfson College” says Chris Coleridge, Fellow and Chair Wolfson Entrepreneurship Hub.
Competition Details and Opportunities
The submission deadline is midnight on 31 January 2024. A substantial prize pot of £12,500 is on offer, and this year's themes are Climate Tech, Global Health, and Women Founders, plus there is an Overall Winner. All shortlisted finalists will be offered the opportunity of mentoring from one of Wolfson’s experienced global alumni community.
Whether you are a postgraduate researcher delving into commercialization and technology transfer, a first-year undergraduate honing your business plan skills, or an alumnus developing a startup venture, the Wolfson Entrepreneurship Competition is tailored for you!
Important Competition Dates
- Submission Deadline: January 31, 2024
- Shortlist Announcement: Late February
- Finale: Sunday, March 17, 2024
Support Program and Additional Opportunities
Alongside the competition, this year Wolfson College is excited to offer for the first time a year-round comprehensive support program. This program is designed for those who are interested in entering the competition or who are looking to explore and develop entrepreneurial skills and thinking. The program includes:
- Funded Masters scholarships worth between £25,000 and £50,000 - The “Wolfson Scholarship for Emerging Entrepreneurship and Diversity” supports applicants from emerging economies with a preference given to women in business-related courses and who might not otherwise have the financial means to study. Two additional annual scholarships encourage diversity, women, and leadership.
- Workshops and Networking Opportunities: Connect with Wolfson's distinguished alumni, Fellows, Entrepreneurship Judging Panel, and the extended entrepreneurial community. The Lent Term schedule will be published in the New Year.
- Mentoring Program: Sign up and join over 70 students and alumni who have already done so since the summer!
- Wolfson Entrepreneurs’ Society: Get involved and join other students to play an active part in Wolfson’s entrepreneurial programme.
Acknowledging Generous Support
The College extends heartfelt gratitude to Wolfson’s generous alumni and friends for their role in fully funding the running of the Hub this year, the student awards, and ensuring the success of the competition.
Special recognition is given to the 2024 Entrepreneurship Competition Supporters:
- Omar Majid Salonica Group (Women Founders Prize)
- Christian Bunke, Basck (Climate Tech Prize)
- Ian Chapman Banks, SQREEM (Global Health Prize)
- Chris Clarke (Overall Winner).
How to Get Involved
Full competition details can be found on the Entrepreneurship Competition 2024 page.
For any inquiries or to get involved in the Wolfson Entrepreneurship Competition, please contact the Hub’s administrator, Eva Shannan, or the student-led Wolfson Entrepreneurs’ Society.
Exploring Impact and Inspiration
You can explore the impact of the competition through stories of past winners, including Influencer marketing start-up, Hypesetters, who won the 2023 Wolfson Enterprise Competition, and Ben Woodington (Wolfson) and Elise Jenkins (Trinity Hall) who won the 2022 Competition with their pitch for a bioelectronics start-up, 'Opto Biosystems' who subsequently went on to raise £2M in funding.
For those seeking entrepreneurial inspiration, the College’s Interdisciplinary Research Hubs in Global Health, Sustainability & Conservation, and Gender offer opportunities to get involved: gain access to our networks and enhance your CV with presentation and volunteering experiences. Don't miss the Global Health Conference taking place on 27 January 2024 and join our award-winning Thinking Space workshops to explore personal approaches to sustainability.
Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to make a difference through entrepreneurship and innovation. We can’t wait to see your groundbreaking ideas take centre stage in 2024!
Sian Cook, Director College Networks