The NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition is now in its 11^th year and provides a framework to support UCD undergraduate and postgraduate students who want to work together to develop and grow start-up companies.

The aim of this competition is to assist students in refining their start-up ideas through a series of structured workshops, including taught content from industry experts, interactive workshops, regular pitching sessions and mentoring.

The competition will be run at NovaUCD.

Accessing the competition is via an application form and recorded video pitch on or before April 25^th. Teams will be notified by May 2nd if they have been selected.

10 teams will be selected to participate in the 4-week full-time in-person programme which takes place after the summer exams, from May 26^th to June 20^th 2025.

A final pitching event takes place on June 20^th and the competition winner will awarded a cash prize of €3000.

Please see full NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition Terms and Conditions available here -

[pdf title="Competition Terms and Conditions 2025" url="/innovation/filebank/Competition_20_T&C_2025.pdf" size="0.1MB" color="tile-green"]

Application Process

Key Date	NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition Timeline
Open Now	Open for applications now via this link: https://forms.gle/tdmAApVmQohWGYUf7 Application is via a short form and video pitch. In addition to the application form please submit a 5-minute video pitch to cover the following: The problem being solved How your solution is better Introduce your team Please email this video to caroline.gill@ucd.ie ensuring that the file name includes your project name.
April 25^th	Closing date for applications Competition Terms & Conditions are attached above.
May 2nd	10 Teams will be notified that they have been successful and will be admitted to the competition
May 26^th	Programme commences NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition 2024 which runs on a fulltime basis from May 26^th – June 20^th in person at NovaUCD.
June 20^th	Final Pitching Event June 20^th - NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition winners will be selected by the judging panel.

Students who are interested in finding out more about the NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition should contact:

Caroline Gill

Innovation Pathway Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, NovaUCD

t: +353 1 716 3715
e: caroline.gill@ucd.ie