Entries now open for business ideas that could help change the world for the better

University of Gloucestershire is again hosting a national competition offering investment and specialist mentoring for student-led enterprises making a positive difference to society and the environment.

Ingenuity is a national programme looking to invest in the next generation of impact-driven start-ups that will transform society and the environment. It includes a network of the UK’s most innovative universities, corporate, public and third sector organisations and helps create start-ups that deliver sustainable social and environmental impact across the UK.

Open to students, graduates, academic staff and members of the public, Ingenuity Programme 2022 is an opportunity to secure investment for start-up projects that generate sustainable impact in building stronger and more inclusive communities, improving mental or physical health, and tackling climate change.

The University is the West of England regional host of the programme for the second year running, following the success of last year’s competition in which two PhD students from the University, Bilawal Khan and Madeleine Mancey, were finalists.

University of Gloucestershire-funded Start and Grow Enterprise, based at the Oxstalls campus, plays a key role in co-ordinating the University’s involvement in Ingenuity Programme 2022, for which entries close in February 2022.

Charles Dodwell, Project Manager of the Start and Grow Enterprise, which offers free access to a range of business support, said: “This is the second year we have worked with the Ingenuity Programme, and are pleased to be associated with it, and its growth to over 30 universities in the UK.

“The most encouraging aspect of the programme, is to hear the willingness and passion of the individuals, many, but not all of them students, to make a positive impact on their communities.

“With all the challenges that the pandemic has brought upon us, it is inspiring to see such ambition for healthy and constructive projects that will have such an influence on our communities, heath and climate change.”

The winners of the competition, which has included a series of summits at which entrants could learn from industry experts, will be announced on 19 May 2022.