Emma+
enterprise
2025 Competition
Turn your ideas into reality. Kick start a social enterprise, or ignite a new business. Learn skills in our Lab, start something new in our Competition.
The 2024/25 edition of the Emma Enterprise Lab & Competition is your opportunity to learn, experiment and even get a starting investment. Along the way, learn core enterprise skills like idea generation, market research, how to write a business plan, pitch your idea, develop a business model, raise finance, and more! You will be supported on this journey by experts from the Emmanuel community and Cambridge innovation ecosystem. You could also win a cash prize of up to £2500!
enter 2025
enterprise competition
COMPETITION RULES
& prizes
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Form a team and prepare a 1 page pitch.
Submit your pitch using the form above.
Shortlisted teams will be given a mentor and develop their skills.
Compete in the final on 29 April.
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• Practice at developing a business plan
• Access to a personal mentor
• Experience at pitching to a panel of investors
• Cash prizes of £2500 + 2 x £250
• Follow-up investor introductions
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• Teams of 1 to 3 people
• At least 1 to be member or alum of Emmanuel College.
• Teams of 1 are allowed but not recommended. Working with one or more partners conveys a sense of resilience and balance to investors.
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•Innovation 25% (Including: problem addressed, novelty, market position)
•Implementation 25% (Including: business model, route to market, required team, funding)
•Impact 25% (Including: commercial/social benefit, environmental impact, growth potential)
•Presentation 25% (Including: visual impact, clarity, organisation)
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The Final
•Each shortlisted team gives a 10 minutepitch followed by 10 minute Q&A
•Judges will decide winners on the day
•Winner receives £2500, two runner-up teams receive £250
•Winning teams offered introductions to local Cambridge investors
Judges
Steve Young Emmanuel Fellow and Chair
Amelia Armour Partner at Amadeus Capital
Mary Jane Brouwers Fund Manager Opportunity North East Ltd
Iris Good Entrepreneur and Investor
Anthony Harris Academic and Cambridge Angel
Diarmuid O'Brien PVC Innovation
Amanda Wooding Cambridge Enterprise
Entries close 21 february 2025
2025 enterprise
programme
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The Emma Enterprise Lab is a two day intensive 7-8 December, and an opportunity to learn the core skills of starting a social enterprise or new business venture from experts, and turn your ideas into reality. Sessions will cover a range of topics including idea generation, market research, networking, pitching, writing a business plan and more. Lunch and a dinner are included too!
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Entering is easy! All you have to do is form a team and write a one-page summary of a business or social enterprise idea. The teams with the best ideas will be given mentors to develop their ideas before pitching to a panel of expert judges. The winning team and two winners up will receive a cash prize.
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In college and in Cambridge, theres a range of special events to hear from and network with entrepreneurs and others involved with making the magic happen.
extra helpful
resources
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Part of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Enterprise is responsible for supporting the translation of University research to create globally leading economic and social impact.
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A community and network platform with resources, events and opportunities for those interested in innovation and enterprise in Cambridge.
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Since 1999, CUE have been supporting and accelerating business innovation and entrepreneurship and providing training for hundreds of students, staff and alumni. They run several annual competitions.