Santander X UK Awards for University Entrepreneurs, Startups and SMEs

Benefits

• Online pitch workshops
  • The 150 shortlisted businesses will join a series of online workshops where experts will break down the key elements of a successful business pitch.
• Online and in-person pitch heats
  • Shortlisted businesses will pitch across a series of online and in-person pitch heats to win a place in the National Final at Santander’s HQ in Milton Keynes on 13 November.
• Winners will receive the following equity-free cash prizes:
  • University:
    • £15,000 – 1st place
    • £10,000 – 2nd place
    • £5,000 – 3rd place
  • Startup:
    • £20,000 – 1st place
    • £15,000 – 2nd place
    • £10,000 – 3rd place
  • SME:
    • £30,000 – 1st place
    • £20,000 – 2nd place
    • £10,000 – 3rd place
• 9 places in the Santander X Global Awards
  • All 9 winners will automatically receive a place in the Santander X Global Awards.

Eligibility Criteria

• Your business must be based in the UK and meet the following criteria:
  • University Category:
    • The University category is for early-stage university businesses and entrepreneurs who are preparing their go-to-market strategy and are looking to launch.
    • If your business has a university connection but you have already launched and you are legally incorporated, please apply for the Startup category.
    • Your business should:
      • Be linked to a UK university (at least one team member must be a current student or employee, a graduate of the last five years (since 2020), or an entrepreneur from a university incubator, accelerator or spin-out).
      • Have a minimum viable product and be preparing to go to market.
      • Have a team of two people or more (if you are a solo founder this can include advisors/board members and/or full/part-time staff).
  • Startup category:
    • The Startup category is for early-stage legally incorporated UK businesses generating up to £250k annual revenue who are growing and looking to scale.
    • If your business is generating more than £250k annual revenue, or you have more than 25 employees, please apply for the SME category.
    • Your business should:
      • Be legally incorporated and registered in the UK.
    • In addition your business must also meet one or more of the following criteria:
      • An annual revenue of up to £250k.
      • Raised funding of between £50,000 and £750,000.
      • Between 2-25 full-time employees (this can include your founding team).
    • SME Category:
      • The SME category is for legally incorporated UK businesses generating over £250k annual revenue.
      • If your business is generating less than £250k annual revenue please apply for the Startup category.
      • Your business should:
        • Be legally incorporated and registered in the UK.
      • In addition your business must also meet one or more of the following criteria:
        • An annual revenue of over £250k.
        • Between 25 -250 full-time employees.

For more information, visit Santander X.