During our annual The Big Pitch competition, students and recent graduates have 3 minutes to pitch for:
- Business funding
- Space on a Business Bootcamp
- Mentorship
- Coworking space passes
- Access to networks and masterclasses
This guide explains the process and eligibility for those pitching for business funding.
Who is eligible?
- Student and recent graduates must apply with their OWN idea.
- If you are a graduate, you must be within 2 years of graduating to be eligible to apply and receive funding.
- Business Funding provided through The Big Pitch is from Santander Universities UK and can only be used towards businesses which are to be based in the UK.
- Meaning, if you’re studying on a Tier 4 / Student Visa, you can’t pitch for business funding because you can’t legally set-up a business in the UK on that Visa. However, you can still pitch for the other prizes to help you develop your entrepreneurial skills.
- Your business needs to be trading and registered (sole trader, limited company, etc.) or soon to be.
(Please note, if you are a graduate or soon to be graduate on a Tier 4 Student Visa and want to set up a business in the UK, you may be eligible for the Start-up Visa, which allows you set-up and run a business in the UK for two years after you’ve completed your studies, as long as the business is innovative, viable and has high-growth potential. Discover more here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/international-campuslife/immigration/start-up-visa-route-post-study-entrepreneur-/#bbq=on)
How does the funding work?
If you are successful in pitching for business funding, you will not be gifted the money, it works as a reimbursement. This means you have to spend the money first using your own means and keep all of your receipts/proof of purchases in order to claim back the money.
To claim back the money you’ve spent, you will be provided with a Student Expense Form which you need to complete and send to enterprise@swansea.ac.uk along with your receipts/proof of purchases. Your payment will then be processed.
What can the Business Funding go towards?
- Equipment (as long as it’s specifically for your business and agreed upon beforehand)
- Stock
- Website development / Business software
- Prototypes / Manufacturing products
- Business uniforms / Marketing and promotion (business cards, graphic designs, paid adds, etc.)
- Business memberships (specifically related to your business)
Please note, all items must be agreed upon beforehand with the Enterprise Team. Items that benefit the user and not the business (i.e. vehicles, laptops / computers) will not be acceptable.
Claim Deadline?
You must claim your money back by 19th February 2026.
