Tata Varsity Pitch 2026

Tata Varsity Pitch is a national, early-stage business pitching competition celebrating the best new business ideas developed by current students and recent graduates (up to 3 years post-graduation) of UK Universities, Colleges, and Further Education Institutions. It's an opportunity for learning, networking, and boosting the profile of your new business.

Comprising an online boot camp for all finalists, category-final and grand final held during Global Entrepreneurship Week, finalists will also benefit from ongoing support from Tata group companies and alumni activities.

Benefits

• The Varsity Pitch Champion 2026 will receive £15,000 cash prize for their business.
• Two runner-ups will each receive £2,500 cash prize for their business.
• Each category winner will receive £1,000 for their business.
• On the day, the audience will also vote for an audience prize.
• All finalists will also benefit from ongoing support from Tata group companies and alumni activities as well as artwork that can use to promote their success on their websites, CV, and social media.

Instructions

To enter Varsity Pitch, you must be:

• A current student at a recognised UK Higher Education Institution, College or Further Education Institution

OR

• Have graduated from a recognised UK Higher Education Institution, College or Further Education Institution within the last 3 years (since July 2023).

It doesn’t matter what subject you have been studying or where you are from.

You will need to be serious about starting your business, though, and commit to starting your business if you win. Winners will need a UK business bank account to receive any of the cash prizes.

Key Dates

• Competition opens: June 2026

• Competition closes: 23:59 BST 18th October (there will be no extensions and late submissions will not be accepted)

• Category-Finalists announced: 2nd November (finalists will be contacted on 30th October to confirm your participation)

• Online boot camp for all Category–Finalists: 6th November (one person from each business must be able to attend this to participate in the final)

• Finals Day: Semi-Final and Grand Final presentations: 19th November, in-person all day, in central London