Start-up idea ✓  Business plan ✓  we can agree the next step is funding but can you stomach the idea of  a bank loan?

Getting financial support is necessary to guarantee your business idea seeing the light of day.

We’ve put together a list of alternative places offering the opportunity to win money to push your business venture to the next stage.

Good Luck!

Virgin Media Business #VOOM: Pitch to Rich

The yearly ‘Pitch to Rich’ competition gives entrants the opportunity to pitch attention-grabbing proposals to Richard Branson and a panel of judges with the hopes of scooping up to £1 million worth of prizes.

Virgin Media Business

Shell LiveWIRE: Smarter Future Programme

The Smarter Future programme awards £5,000 in start-up funds and mentoring support to one winner every month. There is also the possibility of being considered for the once-a-year Young Entrepreneur of the Year award worth £25,000.

Shell LiveWIRE Smarter Future programme

One Million Young Ideas – inspiring Digital Enterprise Award

The Digital Enterprise Award, held every year, inspires young digital entrepreneurs to start-up their own digital business. The aim is to increase the digital skills of over a million young people and guide them into the business world. Grants worth £15,000 and industry endorsed skill badges are up for grabs.

One Million Young Ideas

Cisco – British Innovation Gateway Awards

Cisco British Innovation Gateway yearly award invests and supports start-up businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs to develop their technology-based ideas. Over $200,000 worth of cash prize to be won plus mentoring from Cisco’s partners – Bird & Bird, Octopus and Kreston Reeves.

Cisco British Innovation Gateway

KICKSTARTER

KICKSTARTER, a crowdfunding site based in the United States, helps to bring creative projects to life through direct support of others. Backers support projects by contributing towards the cost of setting up without expecting any financial returns. 100% ownership stays with the project creators.

KICKSTARTER