Launching the Emerge Awards Showcase 2026 - £19,000 is available to students!
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Have you ever watched Dragon's Den and thought, "I could do that"? Or perhaps you have a brilliant solution to a problem but just need the funding to make it a reality?
Emerge: Be enterprising are thrilled to announce the return of the Awards Showcase - and this year, it's bigger than ever.
Whether your idea is just a spark or you've already launched, Emerge is accepting applications at different stages of the business journey. You could be in for winning a share of a £19,000 prize pool!
Emerge is looking for innovative and creative solutions from all sectors - including environmental impact, health, sports, manufacturing, tech, arts, and creative industries.
Choose your category:
Conceptual Idea: 3 x £1,000 You've got a great idea, but will enough people actually want it?
Idea Development: 2 x £3,000 You've moved beyond just an idea - you're building something real!
Gone to Market: 2 x £5,000 You've launched your business and are formally registered.
All shortlisted award finalists will be invited to pitch their business ideas in front of our panel of successful entrepreneurs on Thursday 23rd April.
Not a founder? We also have the Freelancers Guild Prize (£400) for creatives, and the Student Enterprise Champion Prize (£100) for those showing incredible leadership within societies or clubs.
This isn't just about the money; it's about the mentorship. You'll have access to support from Nick Stannard, a University of Sheffield alumnus with 20 years of experience at Ernst & Young, Sky TV, and Warner Bros. He is ready to help you scale your vision.
Key dates & next steps
Launch Event: Join us to meet previous winners, hear their struggle to success stories, and potentially find a co-founder. Thursday 19th February, 12 - 1pm, Start-up Studio.
Live Showcase: Save the date for Thursday 14th May 2026 at Mappin Hall. All are welcome to network with the Sheffield business ecosystem and see the winning pitches live.
The Emerge Showcase aims to recognise and celebrate student entrepreneurship, provide financial support to accelerate start-up growth, encourage students to develop ideas and launch ventures, and cultivate a more enterprising, innovative, and challenge-led university community.
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