The Big Pitch will be split into two pathways this year. This guide explains the terms and conditions for both:
Early-Stage Start-up Pathway
The first pathway ‘Early-Stage Start-up Pathway’ is for students and recent graduates at the beginning or developing stages of their start-up journey. Successful applicants will have 3-minutes to pitch their business, or idea, for a chance to win:
- Up to £1,500 Business funding
- Space on a Business Bootcamp
- Mentorship / Business Advice
- Coworking space passes
- Access to networks and masterclasses
Who is eligible?
- Student and recent graduates must apply with their OWN idea.
- If you are a graduate, you must be within 2 years of graduating to be eligible to apply and receive funding.
- Business funding provided through The Big Pitch is from Santander Universities UK and can only be used towards businesses which are to be based in the UK.
- Meaning, if you’re studying on a Tier 4 / Student Visa, you can’t pitch for business funding because you can’t legally set-up a business in the UK on that Visa. However, you can still pitch for the other prizes to help you develop your entrepreneurial skills.
- Your business needs to be trading and registered (sole trader, limited company, etc.) or soon to be. Money will only be released to you once the business is registered.
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Established Innovation Pathway
The second pathway ‘Established Innovation Pathway’ will be held for students and graduates with established businesses. Successful applicants will have 5-minutes each to pitch their business for a chance to win:
- £5,000 funding (up to three founders may receive this top prize of £5,000)
- Space on a Business Bootcamp
- Mentorship / Business Advice
- Coworking space passes
- Access to networks and masterclasses
Who is eligible?
- This pathway is open to current Swansea University students and recent graduates (within 2 years).
- Those applying must have a registered trading status (sole trader, limited company, etc.) and have been trading for over 12 months. Applications will only be accepted following confirmation and evidence provided.
- The business must be innovative and in a position that is ready to expand, for which evidence must be provided in the application.
- The funding can only go towards UK based businesses. Individuals or teams which include a student on a Student Visa are NOT able to apply for business funding. Individuals on a Graduate Route Visa are able to apply for funding.
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How does the funding work for both pathways?
If you are successful in pitching for business funding, you will not be gifted the money, it works as a reimbursement. This means you have to spend the money first using your own means and keep all of your receipts/proof of purchases in order to claim back the money.
To claim back the money you’ve spent, you will be provided with a Student Expense Form which you need to complete and send to enterprise@swansea.ac.uk along with your receipts/proof of purchases. Your payment will then be processed.
You must submit your claim within the 3-month deadline (30/06/2016) unless otherwise agreed upon with the Student Enterprise Team.
For those who win funding under the ‘Early-Stage Start-up Pathway’, you must register your business and provide proof of this before you can make your claim otherwise funds will not be released to you.
Once you have submitted your claim payments can take up to 5 weeks to come through, however there may be occasional delays.
What can the Business Funding go towards?
- Equipment
- Stock
- Website development / Business software
- Prototypes / Manufacturing products
- Business uniforms / Marketing and promotion (business cards, graphic designs, paid adds, etc.)
- Business memberships (specifically related to your business)
Please note, all items must be agreed upon beforehand with the Enterprise Team as some items are not eligible and will be decided on a case by case basis. An example of items which are not eligible:
- Salaries
- Rent and utilities
- Vehicles
- Laptops / computers
Claim Deadline?
You must claim your money back by 30th June 2026
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