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Startup Sussex is the 5XÉçÇøÊÓƵ’s annual entrepreneurship competition, an opportunity for students and recent graduates to win up to £5,000 to fund your business or social enterprise idea, as well as access to business support.

Startup Sussex prioritises innovative ideas and viable business plans, and rewards those who want to create a better world, with additional prizes on offer for social impact and startups that address the United Nations’ . Previous winners include , founder of , Lucy Hughes of , and  founder, Gladys Mwamba.

It isn’t just a funding competition - it’s also a community of entrepreneurial students and graduates, and a chance to learn and practise key entrepreneurial skills that can benefit you in Startup Sussex and beyond.

What can you win?

Startup Sussex prizes are designed to support the development of innovative ideas and solutions to real-world challenges. The main prize is £5,000 plus business support, with an additional social impact prize for ideas that demonstrate a clear focus on solving any of the UN's , and several runner-up and bonus prizes.

Competition winners will also be awarded a place on the Momentum Incubator, a year-long business launch programme offered in collaboration with .

Launch event

Come to the launch event on Tuesday 10 February 2026, 5-6.30PM, in the Student Centre to find out more about becoming an entrepreneur, entering the competition, and bringing your ideas to life. 

Support and guidance

Students intending to enter the competition (as well as those simply interested in learning entrepreneurial skills!) are encouraged to attend a series of five workshops, designed to support you with developing your ideas.

Startup Sussex Workshop 1: A Valuable Idea
Tuesday 17 February, 5-6.45PM, Woodland 2-3, Student Centre

Startup Sussex Workshop 2: Customers & Competitors
Tuesday 24 February, 5-6.45PM, Woodland 2-3, Student Centre

Startup Sussex Workshop 3: My Business Model
Tuesday 3 March, 5-6.45PM, Woodland 2-3, Student Centre

Startup Sussex Workshop 4: Preparing a Pitch
Tuesday 10 March, 5-6.45PM, Woodland 2-3, Student Centre

Startup Sussex Workshop 5: Pitch Practice Spotlight Session
Tuesday 17 March, 5-7PM, Woodland 2-3, Student Centre

About Entrepreneurship at Sussex 

We can support you from the early stages of developing an idea for a business or social enterprise, all the way through to launching and scaling your venture.