To register your interest in our Startup Competitions and to be notified when applications are open, please fill in this form.
In 2025-26, we will hold five Startup Competitions. Each of these will have a category for idea-stage businesses, and one for live-stage businesses.
- October 2025: applications open in August and close in September
- December 2025: applications open in October and close in November
- February 2026: Application open in December and close in January
- April 2026: Applications open in February and close in March
- June 2026: Applications open in April and close in May
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.
Previous Startup Competition finalists
Startup of the Year 2025
Startup Competition March 2025
Startup Competition December 2024
Startup of the Year 2024
Startup Competiton December 2023