Venture Competition

Funding competition for new business ideas brought forward by the University's community of staff, students and graduates

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Scotland's largest university funding competition for new business ideas.

Venture is a three-stage new business idea competition for all University of Dundee Students, Staff and Recent Graduates split across different prize fund categories.

Winners will be offered a place on Elevator's Dundee accelerator programme and further prizes can be won by audience vote at the pitching final. 

Applications will open in November for the 2025 competition.

“I think Venture is a great platform for students and recent graduates, not only to launch their idea but it’s also a great experience in terms of pitching in front of expert judges and to a live audience.”

Haseeb Hamid, winner of the School of Medicine Venture Award 2023, World of Medics

Jodie standing at the Centre for Entrepreneurship podium speaking about the Venture competition

Jodie Sinclair, product design graduate pitching her business Theo Health at the Venture 2019 final

Stage 1 - Submission of Online Application Form

  • Complete the form below by 12 noon on Tuesday 28 January 2025. This form will provide Stage 1 expert judges details of your idea and business aspirations.
  • You should apply for the award of the school that you study within. Your idea does not have to be related to that school.

Stage 2 - Submission of Proposal Form

  • Finalists for each category will be notified of their selection following the judging process of the initial applications.
  • The Finalists for each prize category will then be required to submit a completed Venture 2025 Stage 2 Proposal.
  • A workshop will be held by the Centre for Entrepreneurship for advice and guidance in completing the proposal form.
  • Stage 2 closing date is Monday 24 February 2025 at 12noon.

Stage 3 - Private Judging Session and Pitch Showcase Final

  • The External Judging Panel will assess the Finalist's application forms and 3-minute pitches in­ person/online during private judging sessions based on their previously submitted Venture Competition Proposal Form.
  • The private judging session date and showcase final will both be Friday 28 February 2025.
  • Assessment of the Finalists by the External Judging Panel will be based on the Venture 2024 judging criteria that will be published on the Competition Website.
  • Winners will be announced at the Venture Pitch Showcase Final (the main event within Entrepreneurship Week) where each team will pitch for one minute to a live public audience to compete for Apple iPads - the best pitches will be voted for by the public audience.

Have a look at previous year's winners: