UCFB is delighted to announce the return of the popular Dragon’s Den-style UCFB Sports Entrepreneur Competition, with a massive £20,000 up for grabs for innovative students.

The competition is led by UCFB Chairman Brendan Flood and provides students with an unprecedented opportunity to compete for vital company investment.

Students from UCFB Wembley and UCFB Etihad Campus will be asked to pitch their sports business ideas to a UCFB Panel and then field any questions they might have. The winning team or individual from each campus will receive a huge £5,000 investment, with two runners-up each earning £2,500.

Previous winners have included Thomas Freismuth, who has opened youth football camps in Austria and Slovenia, and Paul Carr, who has established The Walking Football Association (The WFA) – the new national governing body for the emerging sport.

As well as the chance to win funding for their products, budding entrepreneurs will also receive guidance from Brendan and the rest of the Panel over the next year to help with their product development.

Teams will present to the Panel at UCFB Wembley on Wednesday 21st February, and at UCFB Etihad Campus on Wednesday 28th February.

Brendan said: “I’m delighted to launch the next UCFB Sports Entrepreneur Competition. As with previous years, this event is a unique opportunity for students to showcase their business and sports minds, and pitch their innovative ideas. Previous winners have gone on to make incredible strides with their businesses, and we’re looking forward to seeing and hearing more brilliant ideas this time around.”

To enter the UCFB Sports Entrepreneur Competition, please email s.fitzjohn@ucfb.com with the following:

  • Full name(s) of everyone in your business team. Individual entrants are also welcome;
  • One main contact email address of your team;
  • One main contact telephone number of your team;
  • The degree programme that each team member is studying, year group and campus;
  • Description of your business idea (500 words max);
  • Name of your potential business/company.

Good luck to all entrants!

The deadline for entries at both campuses is Wednesday 31st January at 5pm.