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Register your details
here.

 About the Competition 

Do you have a business idea, side hustle or an early-stage business you want to develop?

 

Maybe you want more experience pitching your ideas, or building up your pitching confidence?

 

Do you want to win some big cash prizes?

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The Kick Start 3-minute Pitch Competition challenges students, staff and recent graduates (within the last 2 years), to present a short-spoken presentation on their business idea, or early-stage business, focusing on its desirability, feasibility, and viability. The competition is based on the idea itself and there is no expectation that you will start-up a business, however if you want to take your idea forward then our team can help! This competition is all about having fun but also gaining the experience pitching your ideas, so whether that’s a creative business idea that you’ve just came up with and would like to explore, a side hustle that you’d like to get off the ground, or an early-stage business that you need support and valuable feedback on – this competition is a great starting point for all of that!

 

From January to May, our Kick Start Programme will return which includes workshops and an even bigger competition, with BIGGER PRIZES! The Kick Start 3-Minute Pitching Competition will give you that experience, feedback and confidence to enter the next competition with your business idea.

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Our team will host support sessions leading up to the application deadline date, which will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions about the overall competition and pitching process.

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Please check the bottom of this page for the application opening and closing dates.

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 Application Process 

Please fill in the application form provided below. Once you have submitted your application you will receive confirmation that you have been entered into the 3-minute Pitching Competition. 

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You may enter this competition with one or more business ideas. Once you have submitted your application, applicants should then start working on their business idea presentation slide and pitch.​

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You will be required to pitch your business idea to our judging panel and audience. All winners will be announced live at our event. You can check out our pitching guide at the bottom of this page for more information and tips on how to prepare for  your pitch.

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Our UWS London participants will be required to present their live pitch over Zoom.

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Complete application

Complete our simple, online application form to register for our competition.

Submit to our team

Once your application is complete, click the send button to submit it to our Kick Start Team.

Prepare presentation

Start preparing your one static Powerpoint Slide and a 3-minute pitch focusing on your business idea.

Present your pitch

You will be required to present your pitch live to our judging panel and audience.

 Who Can Apply? 

The competition is open to any student, at any level, and studying any course at one of our UWS Campuses. UWS staff and recent graduates (within the last 2 years) are also eligible to enter.

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You may enter this competition individually, or as part of a team (up to 4 team members).

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Participants must meet the following criteria:

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  • Connection to UWS: Applicants must be a current student, staff member or recent alumni of the University of the West of Scotland.

  • UK Based: Participants should be located in the United Kingdom (UK).

  • Have business idea, side hustle (jewellery, crafts, clothing brand, selling cakes or food, fitness training etc) , or early-stage business

 Competition Rules 

​Please ensure that you follow all rules outlined below during your 3-minute presentation.

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  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted which outlines how your idea is potentially viable, feasible and desirable. 

  • No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are allowed. 

  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

  • Presentations are limited to 3-minutes maximum.

  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).

  • Presentations are to commence live either on stage or online.

  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.

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Below is a useful guide on what information you should include during your 3-minute pitch.

 Judging Process 

Judging Criteria

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Each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below.

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  • Presentation provided clear background information on their business idea

  • Presentation clearly described the purpose of their business

  • Presentation clearly described the need for this business and target audience

  • The presentation was delivered clearly, and the language used was appropriate

  • The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation

  • The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their business idea and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

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Judging Panel

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The judging panel will include four judges with enterprise backgrounds. The judges will mark all applicants pitches based on the judging criteria mentioned above and once all presentations have been assessed, the winner will be announced live on the day of the event. There will also be other awards up for grabs on the day including the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. 

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Participants will be asked a couple of questions from our panel at the end of their pitch regarding their business idea.

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 Competition Prizes 

  • Big Cash Prizes (£2,000 Cash Pot). *For staff, tax charges will apply and prizes will go through your normal payroll.

  • Awards

  • Trophies

  • Mentoring/Business Support

  • A space in our new Incubation Centre in Paisley or Lanarkshire (The HIVE)

  • Business Funding Opportunities

Applications 

Applications Open

Monday 16th September 2024, 9am

(UK Time).

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Applications Close

Wednesday 30th October 2024, 10pm

(UK Time).

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Presentations/Pitches

Pitch Preparation

You will have to prepare your overall 3-minute Pitch/Presentation before the live event.

 

Presentation Slide Submission

Please send over your finished static slide for your presentation by the end of day on Wednesday 6th November to enterprise@uws.ac.uk.

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*Please Note: that this competition will require you to present a live pitch on your business/business idea.

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Live Event

Pitching Event​

Wednesday 13th November 2024 (Timings TBC).

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*Please Note: All participants will be given a time to present their idea.

 Competition Timings 

 Support Sessions/Workshops 

Our team will be offering a support sessions for those who have any questions about the competition process, application process, and pitches. If you have any questions you would like to ask, then please drop into one (or more) of these sessions.

 

Please see the drop-in schedule and registration details below.

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Session Schedule:

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Wednesday 30th October: 1pm - 2pm (Online). No registration is required, if you would like to join then please join HERE.

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College Students

 Competition 

 Terms and Conditions 

This document highlights all of the Terms and Conditions associated with our Kick Start 3-minute Pitching Competition.

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Please ensure that you carefully read all information included in this document.

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 Competition 3-Minute   Pitching Guide 

This is a guide which highlights all of the essential information required for your 3-minute pitch presentation. Please ensure that you include all sections in your pitch.

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If you have any questions then please contact enterprise@uws.ac.uk

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 FAQ's 

 (Frequently Asked   Questions) 

This document will highlight all frequently asked questions about our competition. If you have any further questions then please get in touch at enterprise@uws.ac.uk

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 How to Pitch Your Business Idea 

How to Pitch Your Business Idea Workshop

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This session highlights all of the key requirements for your business pitch for our competition.

 

Please ensure that you include all of the information that has been discussed.

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Business Pitch (Example)​

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This video is a business pitch example which has been created by our team member Will Shepherd. Your single, static slide will be on screen whilst you are presenting in person.

 

Please do not copy this idea, but use it as a template when creating your own business pitch for our competition.

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