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Overview

The Venture Further Awards (VFA’s) competition is the UK’s leading university-led start-up competition.

We are looking for proposals for new business ideas that have the greatest potential to succeed. Entries should have a credible implementation plan as well as evidence and validate a real opportunity.

Applicants should also demonstrate a real intent and desire to take the business forward with a view to setting up the business either during or shortly after the competition.

The Venture Further Awards competition takes place in two stages:

First round - An application form should be submitted online.

Final round - Up to four entries per category will be selected to proceed to the final round. Finalists will update their application based on first round feedback and pitch their business to a panel of judges on 9th April 2024.

Following the final round, the winners of the first (£15,000) and second (£5,000) prize in each category will be decided and announced at the Venture Further Awards Dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, 8 May 2024.

Applicants using graphene and/or related technologies in their product/service, with a business close to market (less than 2 years or so) are also encouraged to enter the Eli and Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award. For more details, please refer to the Eli Britt Harari Award pages or email entrepreneurship@manchester.ac.uk.