Santander University of Brighton Competitions and Grants

beepurple are offering two funding opportunities to students and recent graduates of the University of Brighton in 2022 and launching a brand new competition with Plus X, Brighton.

Thanks to the generous support of Santander Universities, we are able to host:

Santander Universities logo

Stay up to date

  1. Follow beepurple on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
  2. Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news.
  3. Book your place on the next beepurple workshop.

The Santander University of Brighton Ideas Competition

Do you have an idea for a new product, service or community project? The Santander University of Brighton Ideas Competition is your chance to make it happen.

There will be prizes of between £250 and £1000 available to win. 

In addition, The Roger Cowdrey Enterprise Breakthrough Award gives £500 to the highest scoring creative arts student entry to the Ideas Competition.

Shortlisted entries will be invited to pitch their ideas to judges. Whether you are a team or an individual, you will receive expert pitching training in advance.

You can enter as many different ideas as you wish, but you must write one application form per idea. Your idea can only be for new products, services, or community projects, i.e. not for ventures you have already started up.

This competition is open to all students and recent graduates of the university. Further details and dates will be announced shortly.

The Santander University of Brighton Startup Booster Grant

What is the grant?

This programme is exclusively open to students and graduates (from the Class of 2019 or more recently) who have started their own business, social enterprise or freelance project, and who would benefit from receiving a grant between £250 and £2000.

The grant can be used to pay towards new product development, new technology within the business (e.g. specialist equipment or software), intellectual property protection or new marketing materials, among other things.

How do I apply for a Startup Booster Grant?

You must apply for the grant via the Santander X platform. As part of the application process, you will need to register with the Santander X platform.

Deadline:

Submit your application for a Startup Booster Grant via the Santander X platform by Friday, 18 February 2022 at 5pm.  The beepurple team will score all applications using the judging criteria listed in the terms and conditions document (which you can download via the Santander X platform).

As part of the application process, you will need to submit the following information:

  • The name of your business/social enterprise/freelance project, and the month and year you started up.
  • Information on how the judges can access your website/portfolio/blog (if available).
  • A description of your business/social enterprise/freelance project including information about your products/services, and the problems you solve for your customers/end users, as well as information on what makes you unique (2000 characters maximum).
  • A copy of your Business Model Canvas or Business Clarity Canvas (templates and examples can be provided, if needed).
  • Your goals for the next 6-12 months (2000 characters maximum).
  • An outline of how you will spend the grant on your business/social enterprise/freelance project and the impact this will have on you and your venture (2000 characters maximum). 

Please note that any intellectual property stemming from your ideas/business/application will remain your property at all times.

Contact beepurple@brighton.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Six-month residency at Plus X Brighton

Details

As part of the University of Brighton’s partnership with Plus X Brighton, the beepurple team is offering a six-month residency at their coworking innovation hub worth £900 by entering our competition.

If you are a maker or a startup, who is already trading, and in need of a desk in a shared workplace or access to state-of-the-art startup facilities, this new competition is perfect for you.

The residency package includes:

  • 24/7 access to the Plus X co-working facilities
  • Business registration, including postage
  • Free entry to all Plus X member events
  • Access to the Plus X workshop facilities
  • 50% off the hire fee of the Plus X Media Suite.
PlusX reception area

How do I enter?

To enter this competition answer the five questions below, and email your responses (titled, Plus X competition entry) to beepurple@brighton.ac.uk by 5:00pm on Friday 11 February.

The top five entries will  be shortlisted by University of Brighton staff (using the judging criteria below) and invited to deliver a 5-minute pitch in front of a panel of judges at Plus X. The pitching competition will be on Wednesday, 23 February at 3pm at Plus X.

Answer each question in 100 words or less:

  1. What does your startup do? How do your products/services meet the needs of your customers?
  2. How do you differentiate from your competitors?
  3. What is the market for your product/service? Precisely who are your customers?
  4. Why would you like to win a 6-month residency at Plus X? How will this opportunity benefit you and your business?
  5. What will you do to make the most out of your 6-month residency at Plus X?

Please note, all submissions will be managed by the beepurple team. The judging panel that listens to the shortlisted applicants will all sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to maintain confidentiality.

What is the judging criteria?

University of Brighton staff will score all entries using the following criteria:

  • Innovation: To what extent are you meeting your customers’ needs in an innovative way?
  • Marketing: To what extent do you have a clear understanding of your customer segments?
  • Impact: To what extent will you benefit from the 6-month residency at Plus X?
  • Motivation: How motivated are you to engage with Plus X and all that it offers its members?

Contact beepurple@brighton.ac.uk if you have any questions.