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Careers, Employability and Enterprise
The bustling Careers and Enterprise Centre entrance in the Palatine Centre

Blueprint Startup Challenge

Do you have a great business idea? Take part in the Blueprint Startup Challenge and win a share of £50,000!

The Blueprint Startup Challenge is Durham University’s premier startup competition, providing a launchpad for exceptional student start-up businesses.

By taking part in the competition, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Win cash prizes at each stage of the competition
  • Access startup workshops and 1:1 coaching sessions delivered by successful entrepreneurs and domain experts
  • Become part of a supportive community of aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Receive mentoring sessions delivered by members of the Durham University global alumni community (finalists only)
     

Applications for this year's Blueprint Startup Challenge are now closed. We will be accepting new applications in October 2024. 

 

Cash Prizes

The Blueprint Startup Challenge provides a range of opportunities to receive funding for your new venture including:

The main competition: provides prizes ranging from £1,000 to £10,000

PGR Award: has a top prize of £5,000

Social Enterprise Award: win up to £2,000 to grow your social enterprise or project

Engineer Award: £3,000 prize money to be won by startups with founders from Engineering, Computer Science and Bioscience

Start Up Grant Funding: receive up to £250 early-stage grant funding to help you explore new startup ideas.

 

The Blueprint Startup Challenge is kindly supported by gifts from Santander Universities UK and Richard King, alumnus of Durham University.