Be the first to learn about new opportunities to SPARK your passion with the support, community and funding in LSBU's biggest idea competition.
Be inspired by the ideas that wowed us at the 2024 competition.
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South Bank Ignite, LSBU premier ideas competition, fuels business start-ups, freelancing, innovation, impact, and passion.
You bring an idea! South Bank Ignite will provide the foundation, support, and community to grow as an entrepreneur. Plus, you might walk away with part of the £24K prize pot.
Applications for the 2025 South Bank Ignite competition have closed.
Date | Details |
|---|---|
| Tue., 7 Jan. 2025 | South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 2 Application Open |
| Jan – May 2025 | Ongoing South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 2 Support |
| Jan – Feb 2025 | Start-Up London 6-Week Accelerator Programme |
| Mon., 17 Mar. 2025 | South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Round 2 Application Deadline |
| Wed., 21 May 2025 | South Bank Ignite 2024-2025 – Semi-Finals |
| Wed., 4 Jun. 2025 | South Bank Ignite Final, Festival, and Marketplace |
Download the South Bank Ignite Competition Terms and Conditions
Put Your Best Idea Forward (Info Session)
Download the Put Your Best Idea Forward Presentation
Watch the Zoom Recording
How To Turn Good Ideas Great (Idea Workshop)
Download the How To Turn Good Ideas Great Presentation
Watch the Zoom Recording from 29 October
Watch the Zoom Recording from 31 October
How I Won £3K For My Idea Panel + Q&A with Past Competition Winners.
Watch the Zoom Recording
A free exhibition of works by LSBU photography students held at the Embassy Tea Galle...
Find a range of LSBU events taking place on campus or overseas including open days, s...
A marketplace of LSBU ideas and innovation during Open Day!
South Bank Ignite is open to all LSBU students and recent graduates (up to three years). Regardless of your school, degree, or time at university, if you have an idea or passion for a business, you can apply.
All ideas are welcome – whether it’s for a business, freelance service, social enterprise, or side-hustle.
All stages of the idea and business development are eligible! No business knowledge or experience is necessary.
South Bank Ignite offers you:
- An opportunity to express and test your passion or business idea,
- Networks and connections with other LSBU entrepreneurially minded folks as well as industry experts,
- Growth (and not a bad CV filler) in entrepreneurial skills – like problem solving, thinking-outside-the-box, pitching and presenting, leadership, and more,
- Funding opportunities with prize money as well as fast-track access to LSBU’s incubator and acceleration programmes taking place year-round.
There is so much to gain – and win – by applying!
When applying, tell us (in a nutshell)
- What the problem or need is,
- How it is currently being solved,
- What your solution is, and
- How your idea or business solves the problem.
Don’t forget to also introduce yourself (and your team) and how you are in the best position to lead this business idea forward.
Download the Word document of the application to review the information requested, and to work on your answers before submitting the online form.
The South Bank Starters team is here to help you develop your idea – and win at South Bank Ignite. Schedule a 1-2-1 idea feedback meeting through Careers Hub and attend the upcoming workshops or panel discussions taking place October through December.
Be the first to learn about upcoming competitions and the 2026 South Bank Ignite Competition (and win big!)
Competitions offer you a chance to test your idea, network with other innovators and industry experts, gather feedback on your business, build entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and more.
Below are a few external competition and funding opportunities for the LSBU students, alums, staff, and/or community members.
Stay up-to-date on all competitions and challenges by connecting with us on LinkedIn.
The Hult Prize challenges young people around the world to solve the planet's most pressing issues through social entrepreneurship – and giving them $1 million to do it!
Deadline:
Cost: Free
Prizes: Every year, one team receives $1M USD in funding to make their idea a reality.
Award Categories: You can pitch any idea you have for a social enterprise, as long as it is world-changing and aligned with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Eligibility: To apply, you need to be:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://www.hultprize.org/
DBACE, in partnership with MeWe360, is calling all change makers looking to drive positive social impact through creative enterprise.
Deadline: 31 March 2025
Cost: Free
Prizes: 5 winners will be announced.
Award Categories: DBACE welcomes applications from all social impact businesses - referring to ideas with a significant, positive change that addresses a social challenge. This may include businesses in the following sectors – advertising, architecture, art and antiques, crafts, design, fashion, film, gaming, immersive technology, music, performing and visual arts, and publishing. All sectors will be competing under one category.
Eligibility: To apply, you need to be:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this competition.
Additionally, there are a number of online resources including videos, guides, information events, and more.
For more information, please visit https://dbace.org/
Pitch your idea in a 3-minute video to Sir Richard Branson and Simon Squibb using the Ring doorbell located at the Virgin Hotels London- Shoreditch. One pitch will be selected every week to win £1,000 (or other prizes) by HelpBnk.
Deadline: 17 April, 2025
Cost: Free
Prizes: Each week during the competition (17 January – 17 April, 2025), one pitch will be selected to win £1,000 supplied by HelpBnk. The judges may choose to offer alternative prizes including a stay at the Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch or mentor access.
Award Categories: Judging criteria include originality, feasibility, and impact of the pitch idea.
Eligibility: You are eligible to apply if:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://www.elevatorofdreams.com/
The Entrepreneurship World Cup gives everyone who enters access to the knowledge, networks and for some, the capital they need to start and scale a company.
Deadline: Monday, 30 June 2025
Cost: Free
Prizes: Prizes includetraining, resources, connections, mentorship and more. Plus, the participants have a chance to win a number of impactful prizes – USD $1.5 million in cash and/or investment total for the global winners plus in-kind support for the top 100 global finalists, not to mention investment opportunities and awesome resources and perks from our leading partners.
Award Categories: Award categories are based on business and idea development:
Eligibility:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this competition.
For more information, please visit https://www.entrepreneurshipworldcup.com/ewc
The Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation Scholarship Award supports students working to close the diversity, equity and inclusions gaps in their future aspirations.
Deadline: Monday, 30 June 2025 at 5pm
Cost: Free
What’s included:
Award Categories: Scholarships are available across many fields of study and sectors. This relates to your future aspirations. These include:
Eligibility: Students from all races (black, white and asian), nationalities, and social backgrounds are welcome. To be eligible for the scholarship programme, the students must meet all the conditions below:
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this scholarship. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk more about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://www.tmbdlf.com/scholarship-programme
South Bank Starters is here to guide, support, inspire, and motivate you. Find ways to connect with the team and your community of entrepreneurial minded individuals. You can email us at studententerprise@lsbu.ac.uk.
