Tata Varsity Pitch Competition

ONLINE PEOPLES’ VOTE NOW LIVE

Applications for Tata Varsity Pitch 2023 have now closed! We're delighted to see so many brilliant ideas and businesses apply. Best of luck to all the applicants!

Tata Varsity Pitch Competition 2023, powered by NACUE is a national initiative, dedicated to both current students and recent graduates (since 2018) celebrating high potential, early-stage ventures coming directly out of colleges and universities across the UK.

NACUE and the Tata group have worked together over ten 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 fund and a national title, there will be 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 25th September 2023 from 12.00 and Friday 29th September 2023 at 12.00, by simply voting for your favourite video pitch (just click on the button below), as well as sharing the competition’s Online Peoples’ Vote with your own social media network. The applicant with the MOST number of votes will be fast tracked to this year’s Grand Final on 15 th November 2023, so your vote can make a difference! Watch this space for Online Peoples’ Vote opening!

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PARTNERS

ALUMNUS TESTIMONIALS

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.

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.