Big Idea Challenge is London Met’s flagship annual enterprise competition for university students and recent graduates
Date: 15 January 2026
Got an idea for a business, social enterprise or creative venture? Then London Met’s Big Idea Challenge is for you!
Big Idea Challenge is London Met’s flagship annual enterprise pitching competition, which seeks to unearth new and exciting ideas, and the passionate enterprising individuals behind them.
Whether it’s an innovative mobile app, a new medical service, an artists' collective, or a national dance club (all past finalists), we want to hear about your idea and how it solves real problems, can wow customers or makes a difference in the world.
Enter your idea into Big Idea Challenge 2026!
Prizes?
You bet. There are prizes available for the winners and runners-up in each of the four categories - Commercial, Creative, Social Impact and Freelance.
Who is the Big Idea Challenge for?
It’s for current students and recent graduates. The Big Idea Challenge is open to all types of ideas from all types of students.
You could be a creative designer with an incredible new product, a business student who’s on to the next big thing, a scientist working on a research project that could help society, or something else altogether. Ideas can come from anywhere, and we want to hear yours.
It’s for teams, too
Teams of up to four people can enter the Big Idea Challenge, as well as individuals.
What are the benefits of participating?
For starters, each category winner and runner-up receives a cash prize and a tailored support package.
In addition to cash prizes to invest in your new venture, the best ideas will be offered a place on our Enterprise Team’s prestigious Summer Startup programme, priority hot-desking space in our Holloway coworking space, plus further training and support to help make your idea a reality.
Other benefits of entering the competition include:
- Meet and develop connections with other creative, visionary and entrepreneurial students and graduates
- Learn new skills in idea development, opportunity shaping and public speaking, which can improve employability
- Receive valuable feedback on your ideas and how to progress them
- Explore the possibility of creating your own job and "being your own boss"
The deadline for entries closes on Sunday 1 February at midnight.
Since its launch in 2014, London Met's Enterprise team have supported more than 200 ideas and championed over 20 category winners through the Big Idea Challenge.