Ignite is the UK’s flagship social enterprise competition for student and graduate entrepreneurs ready to scale solutions that tackle the world’s toughest problems.
About Ignite 2025- UK’s Flagship Social Enterprise Competition for Student and Graduate Entrepreneurs
Opportunity Details
Backed by the Ford Family Foundation, Ignite is the UK’s flagship social enterprise competition for student and graduate entrepreneurs ready to scale solutions that tackle the world’s toughest problems.
Founded in 2024, Ignite has already awarded over £50,000 in early-stage funding and generated over £280,000 in follow-on investment across sectors including education, public health, refugee support, climate, and mental health.
They exist to unlock the potential of social entrepreneurs emerging from UK universities by providing catalytic capital, expert mentorship, and a prestigious national platform to pitch for change.
Ignite is a unique pitching event designed exclusively for the social entrepreneur. Ignite backs student and graduate-led ventures tackling social and environmental problems with scalable, entrepreneurial solutions.
They're open to all models – as long as you’re building something with:
- Clear purpose demonstrating measurable impact
- Potential for long term sustainability
- An ambitious founding team ready to lead change
- A plan to generate 50%+ of income from trading
Benefits of Ignite 2025- UK’s Flagship Social Enterprise Competition for Student and Graduate Entrepreneurs
- Because opportunity shouldn’t be limited by access. They bridge the funding gap for early-stage impact founders and help the best ideas thrive.
- Win up to £20,000 in equity-free grant funding to accelerate your impact
- Open for for-profit and not-for-profit ventures
- Pitch your venture live at an exclusive Fleet Street venue
- Access to expert mentors, coaching, workshops and advice
- Growing alumni network of social innovators
- Eligibility for follow-on investment from the Ford Family Foundation
Ignite 2025- UK’s Flagship Social Enterprise Competition for Student and Graduate Entrepreneurs Requirements
- If you’re a student or recent graduate building a venture with social or environmental purpose.
- Whether you’re a for-profit startup, a CIC, or a charity, they're looking for bold founders with sustainable business models, lived insight, and a drive to create real change.
- If your enterprise is early-stage, impact-driven, and ready to grow
- Have at least one founder who is a current student or recent graduate (past 3 years) of a UK university
- Be a registered organisation
- Operate with a legal structure that supports a social mission (e.g., reinvesting profits, asset lock, community benefit clauses)
- Show evidence of demonstratable social and/or environmental impact
- Have early traction with revenue, users or pilots, etc
- Be generating or planning to generate at least 50% of income through trading
- Have turnover or investment to date under £100,000
- Must be available for a live pitching final in October based in London
Application Date and Process
You’ll need to upload:
- A 5–7 page pitch deck or 1,500-word business plan
- A 5-minute video pitch introducing your team and solution
- A 12-month cashflow forecast
Apply Here
For further information on the application process, click on the website link below
Application Deadline
31 July, 2025
Scholarship Application Portal
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Ignite 2025- UK’s Flagship Social Enterprise Competition for Student and Graduate Entrepreneurs
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