Tata Varsity Pitch Competition

TATA VARSITY PITCH COMPETITION 2024

Applications for Tata Varsity Pitch 2024 have now closed! We are delighted to see all the brilliant ideas and businesses that have applied and best of luck to all those applicants!

Tata Varsity Pitch 2024, powered by NACUE is a national initiative, dedicated to both current students and recent graduates (those graduating in 2017 or after) celebrating high potential, early-stage ventures coming directly out of colleges and universities from across the UK.

NACUE and the Tata group have worked together for fifteen years through this competition and worked together in ‘Powering the Enterprising Generation’ to support talented and ambitious young people, committed to innovating their own career through enterprise and entrepreneurship. Alongside the £15,000 prize and a national title, there are other benefits too - finalists will have access to significant in-kind support such as expert advice on business plans, pitching skills and to how to professionally network.

Applications for this year might be closed but there is still a chance for you to support this year’s competition, championing student and graduate entrepreneurs across the UK by taking part in the Online Peoples’ Vote between Monday 23rd September 2024 at 12.00 BST and Friday 27th September 2024 at 12.00 BST. The applicant with the MOST number of votes from the Online Peoples’ Vote will be fast tracked to this year’s Grand Final on 12th November 2024, so your vote can make a difference!

Watch this space for Online Peoples’ Vote opening

Now that @TataEurope #VP2024 applications have closed, here’s the key dates still to come:

Online Peoples’ Vote open - September 23rd to 27th

30 Semi-Finalists announced - September 30th

OPV winner announced - September 30th

Category semi-finals take place – October 11th

Grand Final takes place – November 12th

ALUMNUS TESTIMONIALS

Sarah Bailey

Co-founder of Even, Tata Varsity Pitch Winner 2023

The Tata Varsity Pitch was an incredible springboard for Even, with massive upshifts in our pace and visibility. For any startups considering applying, go for it! The TVP is really a huge partnership with so many organisations coming together to create opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Since joining the family, it feels like we have 100's more people fighting in our corner.

Moises Barbera Ramos

Founder of Drill Surgeries Ltd, Tata Varsity Pitch Winner 2022

For me, competing and winning the Grand Final of TATA Varsity Pitch 2022 was a dream, a goal I had spent two years working on, a journey that has provided me with great friends, connections and knowledge beyond any of my initial expectations but it is also a sign that Drill Surgeries is on the right track, that our team and I are working on something people want to see impacting the world, improving the whole healthcare sector. I am grateful for this opportunity that both NACUE and Tata have provided us with, and I look forward to working together to accelerate our mission and treat more patients and more injuries every year.

Navjot Sawhney

Founder of The Washing Machine Project, Tata Varsity Pitch Winner 2021

Winning the Tata Varsity Pitch 2021 has been a dream come true! The competition was tough and we were pitching with some incredible organisations. We’re so thankful that the judges chose The Washing Machine Project and its mission to empower the lives of those less fortunate and give back the dignity of clean clothes to millions of families across the world. We’re looking forward to working with Tata as a strategic partner to help accelerate our mission and get our machines in some of the biggest markets in the world.

Dian-Jen Lin

Co-founder of Post Carbon Lab, Tata Varsity Pitch Winner 2020

It was nerve-wracking to pitch in front of the judges especially alongside very strong competitors, we felt very lucky to have been selected amongst them all. Thank you for the opportunity!

Lauren Bell

Founder of Cosi Care, Tata Varsity Pitch Winner 2019

Being a part of the Tata Varsity Pitch Competition was a really rewarding experience. The opportunity to pitch to a larger audience alongside other businesses with such strong social impact is amazing. Winning was overwhelming and the funding and support will massively help us grow!

Thomas Fudge

CEO, WASE, Varsity Pitch Winner 2018

Varsity Pitch is a fantastic opportunity for any entrepreneur, the process is great with help and advice at each stage that is valuable in growing your idea

Stephanie Hodgson

Former Head of Product, Motus Innovation, Varsity Pitch Winner 2017

Varsity Pitch is the only competition I have entered where feedback is provided throughout - even to teams that are eliminated. This is excellent! It was so well organised - very impressive. The organisers responded promptly to emails and communicated very well with participants throughout the process.

Ryan Robinson

Co-Founder, AEROPOWDER, Varsity Pitch Winner 2016

Winning the Varsity Pitch Competition was definitely a highlight. The prize has been invaluable in allowing AEROPOWDER to continue its product development work. If we could give any advice to anyone out there, it’s to make sure you go for it! Pitching in front of such an experienced panel is always a great experience, no matter the outcome. We are extremely grateful to NACUE and Tata for the opportunity to take our company further and try to make a real difference.

TATA VARSITY PITCH COMPETITION 2024