To register your interest in our Startup Competitions and to be notified when applications are open, fill in this form.
Startup Competition Application Requirements
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Businesses must have at least one co-founder who is an LSE student, alumni or staff member.
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All types of business can apply, but we especially encourage businesses that are working towards one of the UN SDGs, or that have a social or environmental impact.
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Startups can be based anywhere in the world, and pitching can either be in person or virtual.
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Your venture must be a commercial product or service rather than a charity or organisation that relies on grant funding.
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Previous applicants are eligible, but we will be looking for evidence that your idea has developed since your last application.
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Previous winners are unfortunately not eligible as we want to be able to support as many entrepreneurs as possible.
Applications will open two months before each competition, and will be open for at least a month. Applications will be shortlisted by a panel of assessors, and the finalists will be chosen to pitch at the competition.
Each finalist will receive pitch coaching to prepare them for the competition. At the competition, each finalist will be able to pitch for five minutes to a panel of judges who will give feedback and select the winners.
Please note LSE Generate can only transfer prize money; grants or awards to individuals' personal accounts, and not corporate or business accounts.
If you have any questions, please contact the LSE Generate team at generate@lse.ac.uk.
Startup Competitions 2024-25
October 2024: Startup of the Year 2024
We will hold our annual search for the LSE Startup of the Year in October, the best startups in our community to pitch to be crowned SOTY. The winner will receive £5k and be the face of entrepreneurship at LSE for 2024. Applications will open in August and close in September.
December 2024: Idea-stage businesses
Do you have an idea for a business that you want to launch? This competition is for those who have identified an opportunity and are in the process of developing their solution and team. You can win a share of £10k plus bespoke business coaching. Applications will open in October and close in November.
March 2025: Live businesses
Do you have a live MVP or product in the market that you want to grow? This competition is for those who have launched their business and and in the process of building traction and growing. You can win a share of £20k plus bespoke business coaching. Applications will open in January and close in February.
June 2025: Startup of the Year 2025
We will hold our annual search for the LSE Startup of the Year in June, the best startups in our community to pitch to be crowned SOTY. The winner will receive £5k and be the face of entrepreneurship at LSE for 2025. Applications will open in April and close in May.
Previous Startup Competition finalists
Startup of the Year 2024
Early-Stage Startup Competiton December 2023