UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards

Turn your good idea into a great business

Take the first step to business success

What it is: A university-wide competition for third-level students at UCC who have a promising business idea. It’s designed to help you take your idea to the next level and possibly launch your own start-up.

What happens: Students can enter as individuals or in teams, pitching their idea for a chance to win cash prizes, receive expert feedback, and gain access to support and resources that could turn their idea into a real business. There are two categories: one for undergraduate and one for postgraduate students.

Prizes:

• €5,000 first prize in each category

• Four runner-up prizes of €1,250 in each category

• Opportunity to access tailored business advice and mentoring

Why it’s useful: As well as prize money, participants gain valuable pitching experience, get feedback from experts, and can use the same pitch video to enter the Enterprise Ireland National Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Who it’s for:

• All UCC students from any course or discipline

• Ideal for those with innovative business ideas and a desire to start their own venture

Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for the Student Entrepreneur Awards 2026 - UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards

Deadline Friday, March 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Reasons to Compete

Opportunity to become an entrepreneur

• Students can create the businesses they want to work in with unique support from the UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards.

Helps students stand out

• Taking part in this prestigious award demonstrates the commitment to innovation employers and investors seek.

Cash to fund your start-up business

• €20,000 in cash prizes with two overall winners receiving €5,000.

Expert advice and mentoring

• Support, advice and mentoring.

Who can participate

The UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards are open to full-time registered undergraduate and postgraduate students at UCC. Entries can be from individuals or teams. 

Entries must meet the following criteria

• The idea must have commercial viability and export potential
• Students must own, control and manage their business Intellectual Property where applicable
• Not for profit and social entrepreneurship applicants must operate in a commercial domain
• Students must have an ambition to start their business in Ireland and base their headquarters here
• The maximum number is five students per team.

How to Enter

Stage 1: Video Application

The first step is to submit a two-minute video outlining your business idea. We’re looking for strong ideas with clear commercial and export potential.

• February – March: Call for video applications

• 6th March, 4:00 pm: Competition closes and entries are evaluated

Stage 2: Business Proposal & Final Presentation

Following evaluation, the Top 5 entries in both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate categories will be shortlisted.

• 27th March: Top 5 entries notified

• Friday 15th May: Shortlisted teams submit a detailed business proposal demonstrating commercial viability

• Thursday 21st May: Top 5 teams present their ideas to the judging panel

• Winners announced after final presentations

What the Judges are looking for

• Is there a market for the product or service / has it got commercial potential?
• What is the unique selling point?
• Has the team developed a proof of concept for their product or service?
• Have the students tested their product or service with real users in their target market?
• Does the team have an understanding of key financials

Tips for making a great video

First Impressions count - tips for making a great video  

Stage one of the UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards competition is to submit a two minute video. This is an important opportunity for the students to present themselves as well as their idea. Remember, the judges are the people who can help them turn their idea into a business. It’s important that students provide key information about their business idea. The clearer the information, the easier it is for the judges to identify the entries with real commercial potential.

HOW TO SELL THE BUSINESS IDEA TO THE JUDGES

BE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE IDEA

• The judges are interested in the people as well as the idea.

BE IMPACTFUL AND CLEAR

• With two minutes to tell the full story, clearly define the proposition in the first 30 seconds.

STAGE ONE IS TO SUBMIT A TWO-MINUTE VIDEO

• This is a vital component of the application process, the video will be referenced throughout each stage of the competition.

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

• Clearly defines the business proposition/business idea
• Explains the problem it solves and how it works
• Highlights how the idea is innovative
• Identifies the target customer and explains why they would buy it
• Highlights the idea’s export potential

HOW TO STAND-OUT

IMAGINE PITCHING TO CUSTOMERS

• Speak clearly with a level tone of delivery.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

• Do plenty of practice before making the  final cut.

RECORD IN A QUIET PLACE

• Choose a quiet place  to record with no background noise so the sound quality is good.

ASK FOR HELP

• Ask friends or family  members to give feedback during the production.

Timeline

Please check out the competition timeline below

• February - March : Call for video applications
• 6th March at 4:00 PM: Competition closes and entries evaluated
• 27th March: Top 5 entries notified in both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Categories
• Friday 15th May: Top 5 entries submit a business proposal
• Thursday 21st May : Top 5 entries present to the judging panel
• Winners Announced