Take the first step to business success
Are you a third level student with a business idea that will blow our minds? If you have an idea with real commercial potential then the UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards is the competition for you. It could be the first step on the way to being your own boss.
There are two categories, one for undergraduate students and one for postgraduate students.
And there’s an attractive first place cash prize of €5,000 and 4 runners-up prizes of €1,250 to be won in each category plus the opportunity to avail of specialist advice and assistance to potentially help turn your enterprise idea into a business reality. So get a team together for the most exciting challenge of your life so far.
Run by SPARK/UCC Innovation with the support of Cork University Foundation, the UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards offers third level students from all academic disciplines and courses of study the opportunity to realise their entrepreneurial ambitions.
And the competition is designed to align with the Enterprise Ireland National Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award so your entry video can also be used for the national competition.
Reasons to Compete
Opportunity to become an entrepreneur
Students can create the businesses they want to work in with unique support from the UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards.
Helps students stand out
Taking part in this prestigious award demonstrates the commitment to innovation employers and investors seek.
Cash to fund your start-up business
€20,000 in cash prizes with two overall winners receiving €5,000.
Expert advice and mentoring
Support, advice and mentoring.
Who can participate
The UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards are open to full-time registered undergraduate and postgraduate students at UCC. Entries can be from individuals or teams.
Entries must meet the following criteria:
- The idea must have commercial viability and export potential
- Students must own, control and manage their business Intellectual Property where applicable
- Not for profit and social entrepreneurship applicants must operate in a commercial domain
- Students must have an ambition to start their business in Ireland and base their headquarters here
- The maximum number is five students per team.
Tips on producing a great video pitch
First Impressions count - tips for making a great video
Stage one of the UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards competition is to submit a two minute video. This is an important opportunity for the students to present themselves as well as their idea. Remember, the judges are the people who can help them turn their idea into a business. It’s important that students provide key information about their business idea. The clearer the information, the easier it is for the judges to identify the entries with real commercial potential.
HOW TO SELL THE BUSINESS IDEA TO THE JUDGES
BE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE IDEA
- The judges are interested in the people as well as the idea.
BE IMPACTFUL AND CLEAR
- With two minutes to tell the full story, clearly define the proposition in the first 30 seconds.
STAGE ONE IS TO SUBMIT A TWO-MINUTE VIDEO
- This is a vital component of the application process, the video will be referenced throughout each stage of the competition.
VIDEO REQUIREMENTS
- Clearly defines the business proposition/business idea
- Explains the problem it solves and how it works
- Highlights how the idea is innovative
- Identifies the target customer and explains why they would buy it
- Highlights the idea’s export potential
HOW TO STAND-OUT
IMAGINE PITCHING TO CUSTOMERS
- Speak clearly with a level tone of delivery.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
- Do plenty of practice before making the final cut.
RECORD IN A QUIET PLACE
- Choose a quiet place to record with no background noise so the sound quality is good.
ASK FOR HELP
- Ask friends or family members to give feedback during the production.