Venture Catalyst Challenge

3 months, 5 tracks and £100,000 up for grabs. The Venture Catalyst Challenge is Imperial College London’s flagship entrepreneurial competition.

If you want to find out more about what it is like to be on VCC, or find out about the 2023 cohort, please visit the VCC 2023 blog.

Interested in being a part of a future VCC cohort?

Thank you to all who participated in the 2023 Grand Final.

We hope you enjoyed the experience. If you weren’t able to join us on the night, you can still view the Grand Final online.
For full competition coverage, to meet this year’s cohort and discover their innovations, visit our 2023 blog.

What is the Venture Catalyst Challenge?

The VCC is Imperial College’s flagship entrepreneurial competition for Imperial students, alumni and early career researchers, to develop an innovative idea for commercialisation AND win big!

We’re talking 3 months of evening workshops, 1-to-1 coaching, meetings with experts, alumni panels and pitch training all with one aim – to help you bring your idea to commercial reality while growing your knowledge, skills, and network. It’s a unique opportunity not to be missed!

Workshop and pitch final of the venture catalyst challenge

Support tailored for your idea

The entrepreneurial universe is vast – so we have 5 tracks to ensure you’re teamed up with the most suitable coaches and experts.

Creative & Consumer

Are you breaking ground in the creative and consumer-facing industries? Then this track is for you! Whether it’s fashion, art, music, videogames or design, we’ve got you covered.

Digital & Finance

Perhaps your project will redefine the way we shop or play. Maybe you’re revolutionising cryptocurrencies and blockchain. If this strikes a chord, this is your track!

 

huawei logo
Energy & Environment

This track is for teams that are hell-bent on solving the energy crisis, stopping our ice caps from melting and generally cleaning up our eco-act!

Undaunted Company Logo
Health & Wellbeing

Want to disrupt consumer health, level-up our healthcare system or help us take more ownership of our wellbeing? Then say hello to your new track!

Novartis logo
AI & Robotics

If you’re looking into nano technology, advances in machine learning or ways to make the cyber world a safer place, then you’ll get the best support on this track.

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Want support to develop your entrepreneurial idea?
VCC Workshop

The Prizes

Grand Final Prize

£20,000
The VCC winning team will be chosen by our judging panel

Track Winner Prizes

5 x £10,000

The winner of each track will go on to compete in the live Grand Final

Novartis logo
Undaunted Company Logo
Undaunted Company Logo

Moonshot Prize

£10,000

Show us you’re challenging the norm and pushing innovation to the limit and you could win an extra cash boost to help you get your idea off the ground

Social Impact Prize

£10,000

Last but by no means least, we’ll be on the lookout for teams whose work is inspired by a desire to have a positive impact on society.

Meet the 2023 cohort

This year we have 25 of the most innovative teams from Imperial taking part in the Venture Catalyst Challenge. They’re developing ventures ranging from adjustable prosthetic legs to developing a supersonic aerodynamic enhanced technology for low orbit launches, supersonic travel and space tourism

VCC 2021 cohort on zoom

To follow the progress of this year’s teams, visit the VCC 2023 blog.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this programme you’ll:

Understand how to design and conduct effective customer interviews

Refine your pitch deck and build skills to pitch with confidence

Build a team with clear roles and a shared set of goals

Create a financial model and learn to identify funding requirements

Understand what IP exists and how to protect it

Understand how to test, update and refine your business model based on customer feedback

Entry requirements

  1. You must be a student, or early career researcher, registered at Imperial College London (first-year undergraduates to final year PhD students, and Post-Doctorate Researchers).
  2. Alumni within 3 years of graduation (no earlier than 2020) can also be team leaders.
  3. Team members can be students, alumni, or external.
  4. You must not have raised more than £100,000 in grants, investment or contracts for your venture.
  5. Your application should show that you have carried out customer and market research to demonstrate a real problem and an innovative potential solution.

Programme Schedule

APPLICATIONS OPEN

Applications to the programme will open from Monday 3rd October 2022 and will close at 11:59pm on Sunday 4 December 2022.

    WEEK 1

    Launch Event: Thursday 2 February, 6pm – 7:30pm

    Pre-programme IRL meetings: Monday 30 January, – Friday 3 February 

    WEEK 2

    Business Coaching: Monday 6 February, – Friday 10 February

    Customer Discovery Workshop: Thursday 9 February, 6:00 – 7:30pm

    WEEK 3

    Financial Modelling Workshop: Thursday 16 February, 6:00 – 7:30pm

    Strategy Expert Meeting: Monday 13 February – Friday 17 February

    Check-ins with the E-Lab team:  Monday 13 February – Friday 17 February

     

    WEEK 4

    Team Culture Workshop: Thursday 23 February, 6:00 – 7:30pm

    Business Coaching: Monday 20 February – Friday 24 February

    Legal Expert Meeting: Monday 20 February – Friday 24 February

    WEEK 5

    Alumni Panel: Thursday 2 March, 6:00 – 7:30pm 

    Sponsor Meeting: Monday 27 February – Friday 3 March

    IP Expert Meeting: Monday 27 February – Friday 3 March

     

    WEEK 6

    Fundraising Expert Meeting: Monday 6 March – Friday 10 March 

    Office Hours: Monday 6 March – Friday 10 March

    WEEK 7

    Business Coaching: Monday 13 March – Friday 17 March

    Financial Panel Workshop: Thursday 16 March 

    WEEKS 8-10

    No Sessions Monday 27 March – Friday 7 April

    WEEK 11

    Perfect Your Deck Workshop: Thursday 13 April, 6pm – 7:30pm

    WEEK 12

    Heats Pitch Practice: Monday 17 April – Friday 21 April

    Storytelling Workshop: Tuesday 18 April, 6:00 – 8:00pm

    Office Hours: Tuesday 18 April – Wednesday 19 April

    WEEK 13

    VCC Track Heats: Tuesday 25 April – Wednesday 26 April

    WEEK 14

    Finalist Slide Deck Review: Thursday 4 May 

    Finalist Pitch Practice: Thursday 4 May – Friday 5 May

    WEEKS 15 & 16

    Dress Rehearsal: Tuesday 9 May

    VCC Grand Final: Wednesday 10 May

    Post programme face-to-face meetings: Thursday 11 May – Tuesday 16 May

    Feedback Calls: Monday 15 May – Friday 19 May

    FAQs

    Who can apply?

    The programme is open to all students registered at Imperial College London from first year undergraduates to final year PhD students. Alumni within 3 years of graduation (no earlier than 2020) can also be team leaders, and early career researchers.

    Team members can be students, alumni, or external.

    Can I speak to someone about my application?

    Absolutely! You can chat to us during our online clinic times by booking into an Idea Surgery.

    What stage of development does my project have to be at?

    We select projects based on the strength of the problem and solution being addressed and the innovative potential presented. At a minimum, your application should show that you have carried out customer and market research. 

    Can I submit several projects?

    Yes! As long as you’ve done the required research on them all (see our Entry Requirements) you can submit several ideas.

    My degree is very time consuming, I like the sound of the programme but I don't think I can commit the time for this programme. What should I do?

    Your studies always come first and we don’t want to get in the way of them. Our strictest requirement is that you’re available for all the dates we’ve outlined. We’re happy to answer more questions you have about time, but only you’ll know how much work you can take on and fit into your schedule.

    I already have an idea and there is some intellectual property associated with my idea. What is your policy on IP and will you help me navigate questions around IP?

    Intellectual Property, IP, Trademarks, Patents, Disclosure, Classifications, Fees, Examinations… IP is complex and can be difficult to navigate. We have in house IP expertise from the Research Office. We also bring in external expertise from patent attorneys to participate in the course. IP is incredibly important and it’s even more important to get it right at the start. Our IP experts will help you to decide on what the best course of action is.

    No 2 situations are alike, so feel free to discuss your idea/plan with us before applying for the programme.

    In applying for the Venture Catalyst Challenge, it’s implied that you own the IP for your idea and that none of the exceptions below apply. Please note that your idea is subject to the College’s IP policies. If your idea doesn’t meet these terms then you may be asked to revise your proposal or leave the programme.

    You’ll find guidance on student IP through the Summary Guidance for Inventors: Student IP. In the first instance, a student owns the IP they generate in the course of their studies at the College, unless one of the following exceptions applies:

    1. They generate IP which is subject to governing terms or an agreement with an external organisation whereby the IP vests with College or a third party; or
    2. They generate IP which builds upon existing IP generated by College Employees or Associates; or
    3. They generate IP jointly with College Employees or Associates; or
    4. They are, or have the status of, College Employee (in which case they are treated by College and the law as employees).

    If you are staff, you can find the guidance on Staff IP on Imperial’s Research and Innovation website here.

    Do you take any equity in my team/company?

    No. We’re in this to help you, and have designed this programme to give you skills and support so you can create your own company and carve out your future.

    I'm not sure about which track I fit into, what should I do?

    Don’t panic! All you need to do is choose 3 tracks that you think align with your project. If you think your idea only fits with 1 track, then pick that one. It’s our job to determine the best track for your project and we won’t be judging your idea based on the tracks you have selected. 

    I haven't received a confirmation email after submitting my application, is this normal?

    A confirmation message should appear once you’ve reviewed and submitted your application. If you don’t see any message, please double check that you’ve hit submit after the last question. 

    When can I expect a reply regarding my application?

    We aim to notify all applicants of their status by 5pm on Friday 23rd December. 

    What are the Terms and Conditions?

    You can find the programme Terms and Conditions here.

    Meet the Alumni

    DotPlot
    DotPlot

    Enabling early breast cancer detection through an at-home device and app for easy and accessible breast health monitoring.

    Deploy Tech
    Deploy Tech

    Deploy has developed the world’s first of a kind air-deployed, ready-to-use concrete water tank.

    SaltyCo
    SaltyCo

    SaltyCo combines material science and regenerative agriculture to create planet-positive textiles.

    Onsee
    Onsee

    Onsee enables you to move from Point A to B when and where you want without fear of safety on the road. They are designed to maximise safety for cyclists and increase awareness of drivers without compromising on style or time.

    Testimonials

    “The Venture Catalyst Challenge was an intense crash course in entrepreneurship, providing us with the skills, opportunity and network we required to bring our platform from concept to product.”

    Luke Geoghegan, Co-founder of SOCRATES
    Winner of the Health & Wellbeing Track 2019, sponsored by P&G Ventures

    How to apply

    Applications for the 2023 programme are now closed! You can also get support with your idea or venture through booking an Idea Surgery and attending our events.

    Sponsors

     AI & Robotics Track sponsor
    I-X

     

    I-X is an ambitious new research initiative at Imperial College London, established to bring new focus to interdisciplinary AI reseach. The goal is to bring together AI experts from across the College to tackle major research challenges in areas such as health, sustainability, and security, and to create new opportunities for deerper cllaboration with companies and entrepreneurs.

     

    imperial.ac.uk/stories/ix-rapid-innovation/
    Undaunted Company Logo
     Digital & Finance Track sponsor
    Santander University

     

    Santander Universities is the leading global supporter of higher education. We believe that universities are the cornerstone of modern civilisation, nurturing and producing the innovators, creatives and leaders of tomorrow.Through the Universities programme we’re building on Santander UK’s purpose to help people and businesses prosper by providing funding and resources to help students and graduates start, run or scale a business.

     

    www.santander.co.uk/universities
    Novartis logo coloured
     Energy & Environment Track sponsor
    Undaunted

     

    Undaunted is community of creative, proactive people, working together to explore how innovation can help us to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis, in sustainable and equitable ways. From early-stage startups, investors, and industry experts, to academics, policy makers, students, and journalists – the community is diverse because the climate is everyone’s business. Undaunted is a partnership between The Royal Institution and Imperial’s Grantham Institute. In the face of climate change, we are Undaunted.

     

    www.imperial.ac.uk/climate-change-innovation
    Undaunted Company Logo
     Health & Wellbeing Track sponsor
    Novartis

     

    At Novartis, our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. We use innovative science and digital technologies to address some of society’s most challenging healthcare issues. We discover and develop breakthrough treatments and find new ways to deliver them to as many people as possible.

     

    www.novartis.com
    Novartis logo coloured

    What's on

    From community events to expert masterclasses… There’s always something going on at the E-Lab

    Next events

    Community Collider October
    Community Collider October

    Event dateOctober 18, 2023

    Sign up
    Summer Accelerator 2023 Showcase
    Summer Accelerator 2023 Showcase

    Event dateOctober 25, 2023

    Sign up

    Connect

    Join our community, meet co-founders and grow your entrepreneurial network!

    Our monthly social bringing together students and postdocs from every corner of Imperial College London.

    Stay productive and focused while working on your business idea. Make the E-Lab your office and creative space.

    Use your creativity and critical thinking to solve a challenge set by us. Win prizes for the best idea and best pitch!

    Explore

    Speak to someone about your idea and learn the skills you need to test it in the real world

    Validate

    Fast-track your idea on one of our cohort-based entrepreneurship programmes

    Imperial’s flagship entrepreneurship programme for students and postdocs with an annual prize fund of £100K.

    The UK’s leading university programme championing women-led startup teams with an annual £30K prize fund.

    A 12 week programme for students looking to give their business idea a big developmental push over the summer months.

    More available programmes

    Grow

    Get expert support and advice to turn your idea into a successful commercial venture

    About

    We’re passionate about inspiring the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs

    Contact

    Got a question, need some advice or just need directions to the best basement on campus? Get in touch!

    Find us

    Imperial College London
    Level 0, Sherfield Building
    (Access next to Great Hall)
    South Kensington Campus
    Exhibition Road
    London SW7 2AZ