What’s the big idea?
Big Idea Challenge is London Met's university-wide annual pitching competition for university students and recent graduates.
Got an idea for a new business (big or small) or innovative startup, a creative product, project or experience, freelance venture, social enterprise or something completely different that nobody's thought of yet? It doesn't matter what your idea is – if you can imagine it, you can enter it into the Big Idea Challenge.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. Whether you’ve just got a spark of an idea or are already making it happen, Big Idea Challenge is your opportunity to develop it, pitch it, and build your confidence along the way.
You could win cash and other great prizes designed to help you further develop and launch your idea into a real business.
Since launching in 2014, Big Idea Challenge has helped hundreds of London Met students and graduates explore and pitch their ideas, and championed more than 50 winners through the competition.
So, what’s your big idea?
Key dates for Big Idea 2027
Entry deadline: Sunday 3 January 2027
Entry outcomes: Monday 18 January 2027
Big Idea Pitching Bootcamp: Wed 3 February 2027, 11am to 3pm
Perfecting Your Pitch (Online Bootcamp): Friday 5 February
Semi-Final Pitch Days: Tues 16 - Thurs 18 February, 10am to 4pm
Semi-Final Pitch Outcomes: Monday 22 February
Speed Mentoring and Pitch Practice Bootcamp: Wed 10 March, 11am to 3pm
Finals Pitch Days: Tues 23 - Wed 24 February, 10am to 4pm
People's Choice Award Pitch Filming: Tues 23 - Wed 24 February, 10am to 4pm
Big Idea Challenge 2027 Awards: Wednesday 14 April
Cash
Each of our Big Idea Challenge winners will receive a cash grant to help with developing or advancing their idea. Additionally, a Grand Champion, selected by a panel of judges, will be awarded an additional cash prize.
Further support
As well as a cash grant to help get the idea going, winners will receive ongoing support and guidance from the Enterprise team to help push their idea forward. This may include:
- guidance on testing, viability and customer acquisition
- logo and branding development support
- support with building a website and online presence
- advice on business models and growth strategies
If you have an idea and you want to take it through the process of developing it into a viable business, then this is the ultimate reason why you should apply. Of course, cash prizes and business support are up for grabs, but this will only be valuable for those serious about taking their ideas to the next level!
Each of our Big Idea category winners will receive: cash to support the development of the idea, further support and guidance, plus a guaranteed spot on future programmes with Student Enterprise.