Siobhan Abdirahman shares her Enterprise Challenge Experience
Siobhan Abdirahman is a third-year student at the university and a regular at #GreHacks and #GreStartUp. A successful writer outside of her studies, Siobhan is a dynamic and hard-working entrepreneur developing her latest venture The Buddy App.
Meet the 11 Finalists Competing to be the Greenwich Entrepreneur of the Year 2024
The Generator held the semi-finals for their annual entrepreneurship competition with students competing for a share of the £13,000 prize fund.
The Generator Receives a Record Number of Applications for the Enterprise Challenge 2024
The Generator received a record number of applications for its Enterprise Challenge this year, an annual competition nurturing entrepreneurial talent at the university.
Categories
There are two streams that you can apply for: a Social Stream, if your business will have a positive environmental or social impact (you can still generate a profit through this stream), and a Commercial Stream, for any general business idea.
Applicants will receive free 1-1 advice, training activities, mentoring, and the chance to win generous cash prizes to help you to build your enterprise.
Prizes
This year, our wonderful prizes generously funded by Santander Universities and Engineers in Business are:
Greenwich Entrepreneur of the Year - £5000
The top prize, decided by our judging panel. The winner of this prize has polished their idea and proven that their business has a strong model which will be successful in the future.
Commercial Category Winner - £2000
A prize for the idea most likely to go and make a profit. You will have developed a strong business plan throughout the competition and are ready to make some cash.
Social Category Winner - £2000
Not every idea is for profit. If you're planning a social enterprise to give back to the community, and have developed this idea with us, then this prize is for you.
Engineers in Business - £2000
Reserved for students from the faculty of engineering and science and sponsored by Engineers in Business. The winning engineer will have the opportunity to pitch at their annual competition and win more funding.
Food & Drink Winner - new for 2024!
£1000 + a place on the Medway Food and Drink Accelerator – reserved for food and drink business ideas.
People's Choice Award x 2 - £500
Completely decided by the audience, this prize is reserved for the pitch that convinces everyone in the attendance that their idea are great, so make sure your personality shines during your pitches.
How to apply
Applications for the Enterprise Challenge 2025 are closed. Applications will open again in October 2025.
Key Dates
27th November: Stage 1 APPLICATIONS CLOSE
4th December: Successful participants will be notified
15th January: EC Workshops begin
19th February: Stage 2 Deadline
5th March: Enterprise Challenge Semi-Finals
26th March: Enterprise Challenge Finals
Previous winners
Want a taste of what pitching in the semi-finals is like? Watch below our 2022 winners semi-finals pitches!
The Buddy App
Siobhan Abdirahman is a third-year student at the university and a regular at #GreHacks and #GreStartUp. A successful writer outside of her studies, Siobhan is a dynamic and hard-working entrepreneur developing her latest venture The Buddy App.
SmartSwap
Ansad Parayil won the Engineers in Business award at this year's Enterprise Challenge finals for his business SmartSwap, along with £3000 in prize money.
Urban Rise
Enabling companies to give back to the community and to help tackle poverty by teaching disadvantaged kids’ financial literacy courses.