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What’s Your Big Idea?
Do you have an idea for a new start-up, product or service? Or are you running a business that’s less than a year old that could do with a boost? If so, we want to hear from you. Develop your business skills, attend practical workshops and masterclasses, showcase your ideas, and compete for a share of our £20,000 prize pot.
About the competition
'What's Your Big Idea?' aims to promote and develop enterprise and entrepreneurship throughout Barnet and amongst the student population.
The competition offers Middlesex University, Barnet and Southgate College students, and local residents the opportunity to showcase their ideas, attend business development workshops and win funding to help grow their business.
‘What’s Your Big Idea?’ is led by Middlesex University, London Borough of Barnet and Barnet and Southgate College with the generous support of Santander Universities and Brent Cross Shopping Centre.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure a fair and transparent process, we’ve outlined all the key eligibility criteria and rules in a comprehensive Terms & Conditions document. This will cover everything from who can apply, to what’s expected of participants, and the criteria for winning the prize pot. All applicants must review this document to understand the programme’s requirements and ensure they meet the conditions before applying. Download the Terms and Conditions (PDF), read through it carefully, and proceed with confidence!
How does it work?
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STAGE I - The Pitch |
STAGE II - The Plan |
STAGE III - The Final |
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To enter the competition, contestants must submit a 90-second about their business or idea |
Those selected for stage two attend a series of workshops and masterclasses led by seasoned entrepreneurs and experts to help support and develop your business or idea. |
Six finalists will be identified by independent judges to progress to the final and pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. |
How to enter
Submit a 90-second video pitch about your business or idea, speaking directly to the camera. The video doesn't need to be high quality — clarity is key for evaluation. Please structure your pitch to include:
- Introduction: briefly introduce yourself.
- Problem: clearly define the problem you’re addressing.
- Solution: explain how your business or idea solves the problem.
- Why You: share why you’re best suited to lead this venture.
Prizes
The finalists are split into two categories, with three contestants in each. The winner of each category will receive £5,000, second place £3,000 and third £2,000 in equity-free prize money.
- Middlesex University students and alumni
- Barnet residents and college students
Former Participant Stories
Rebeca Najmias
Winner or MDXcelerator 2023, Founder of Match Oishii
My sales have been increasing since I took the mentorship, almost by half, which is great! I am expanding to new markets and in conversatio to have a fulfilment centre abroad in the Americas! Additionally, I have great projects rolling in, will do my first trade show in the UK in May at the well-being festival! Also, started collaborations with brands, the latest being a gem shop which does amazing bracelets, from Switzerland but sells all over the world, the official sale should launch in the next two weeks! My wholesale sales have also increased a lot, and I’ve expanded to new markets.
Joshua Palmer and Vasiliki Papadima
Winners of MDXcelerator 2024, Founders of Unity App
The highlight of the competition for us was winning the London campus competition, which meant a lot for us showing that our idea actually had potential and could be developed further. This experience showed us that many other people also believe in our ideas. Unity is an app to help people of all abilities which features a map that highlights all public places such as shops, restaurants, libraries, gyms, museums, GPS and libraries. For each location, Unity will show what facilities they have to cater towards different needs, such as ramps, lifts, hearing aids or quite hours.
Isco Coban
Second Place Winner of MDXcelerator 2024, Founder of CMetrics
The MDXcelerator program marked my first formal pitch of our business idea. My primary objective was to validate the concept and gauge how the proposed solution resonated with potential stakeholders. The feedback was instrumental — participants recognised the problem we aimed to solve, which validated our business concept and also offered insight into potential identity issues, which led to the rebranding of the company as ‘CMetrics.’ Winning second prize provided significant validation for the business plan, and the accompanying bursary enabled us to engage with potential investors, ultimately leading to our initial round of investment from angel investors.
Marie Farmer
Winner of Entrepreneurial Barnet Competition 2018, Founder of Mini Mealtimes
I’m so pleased to have won, the prize money and ongoing mentoring will really help develop my business idea further. The support you receive throughout the process is wonderful. It gives you an extra boost of confidence and will validate your idea. Mini Mealtimes is an app that gives parents information on the nutritional value of their children’s meals and eating habits, including those that are homemade, store-bought, or a combination of the two. The app also provides reports based on the above, and recipe recommendations.
Andre Thompson
Winner of Entrepreneurial Barnet Competition 2017, Founder of Student Light
Student Light is an app and web platform designed to liberate students from barriers and adversity they face, particularly around mental health issues. The idea is to connect individuals, communities and leaders within and across higher education institutions. It feels absolutely incredible to win the prize. I’m glad people are really seeing that mental health in universities is an issue.
Registration form
Sign up to the 'What's Your Big Idea?' Competition.