Tata Varsity Pitch Competition

TATA VARSITY PITCH COMPETITION 2022

In 2022, the Tata Varsity Pitch Competition, powered by NACUE, saw nearly 200 high calibre of innovative and outstanding applications from early-stage entrepreneurs from across the UK.

The winner of this year’s Online Peoples’ Vote ETHOSA received just over 10% of the overall public votes.

The Tata Varsity Pitch Competition, powered by NACUE, is a national early-stage business pitching competition that celebrates the best businesses coming out of colleges and universities across the UK.

It has become one of the UK’s flagship enterprise events as part of GEW - celebrating and showcasing the entrepreneurial flair of young businesses for over ten years. Tata Varsity Pitch winners include Blaze, AEROPOWDER, WASE, Cosi Care, The Washing Machine Project and recently crowned 2022 winner Drill Surgeries Ltd.

The three-stage competition showcased the breadth and depth of business creativity coming out of UK universities, colleges and further education institutions. In the final stage of the competition 7 student and graduate startups had the chance to compete for £15,000 equity free funding to develop their business and win the national title.

Want to take part in the Tata Varsity Pitch 2023? Join our newsletter here to be the first to know when the competition opens again.

OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

ALUMNUS TESTIMONIALS

Moises Barbera Ramos

Founder of Drill Surgeries Ltd, Tata Varsity Pitch Winner 2022

Tata Varsity Pitch is one of the most challenging startup competitions in the UK so, I couldn’t be more humbled to be this year’s winner. We have worked really hard to position ourselves as the leading company creating real-time surgical navigation through AI, and thanks to the support from Tata Varsity Pitch, we are closer than ever to bring this technology to market, reduce operating time by 75%, radiation by 60%, costs to hospitals and recovery time for patients.

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.

Peter Spence

Tio Toys, Varsity Pitch Winner 2015

It was an invaluable opportunity to meet and compare experiences with other start-ups, refine and practise our pitch and meet high-profile judges and mentors.