University of Manchester
The Venture Further Awards (VFA) is the UK’s premier university startup competition, offering over £200,000 in equity-free prizes plus £150,000+ in software and tech perks to help founders build and scale. Hosted by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC), this is where the University of Manchester’s most ambitious students and alumni transform high-potential concepts into market-ready ventures.
We believe innovation comes in many forms, from the solo creative to the deep-tech researcher. That is why VFA 2026 is structured into four specialised tracks, ensuring every founder has a tailored pathway to success.
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Must be part of Uni of Manchester
Stiftung Entrepreneurship
Join a global community for entrepreneurship and innovation. Develop ideas and solutions for today’s challenges together with like-minded people. At the Entrepreneurship Campus, ideas turn into real change.
World Skills UK
The Esports Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Challenge, developed by WorldSkills UK and the British Esports Federation, showcases the next generation of esports innovators, founders and creative thinkers. Based on the Pearson and British Esports Level 3 BTEC National qualification in Esports, this challenge tests competitors’ ability to explore the esports industry, generate viable enterprise ideas, conduct meaningful market research, and produce a realistic business plan for a start-up within the esports ecosystem. Competitors will demonstrate their creativity, commercial awareness and communication skills through a professional pitch to industry stakeholders. This competition provides a unique opportunity for aspiring esports entrepreneurs to apply their knowledge in a real-world context, developing key employability skills and enhancing their readiness for future careers, vocational training, apprenticeships or higher education.
Hult Prize
Join the world's largest student startup competition Through our annual competition, students build, scale, and pitch innovative startups, with the winning team receiving $1M USD in funding to take their business to the next level.
