Apply for EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Programme (South Africa)

The competition aims to attract businesses that exist to solve critical global challenges such as climate change, health, resource depletion, food shortages, environmental sustainability, and social inequality. It seeks ventures that can scale efficiently, maximising their positive impact while remaining financially sustainable.

Theme

• Alignment of the Intervarsity with the EDHE theme: Entrepreneurship for Sustainability.

Objectives

• To identify the top student entrepreneurs at each university;
• To identify the top student businesses at each university;
• To encourage universities to support student businesses and entrepreneurs better.

Categories

• Category 1: Existing Business – Tech – Designed for businesses that primarily create and develop innovative technology.
• Category 2: Existing Business – Social Impact – Focuses on businesses that leverage research, innovation, and technology to address social, environmental, or community challenges while generating profit.
• Category 3: Existing Business – General – Invites businesses with a proven track record of success, established products or services, and align with one or more of the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Category 4: Research-Based Business renamed Commercialisation of Academic Research in 2025. – Targets Master’s or PhD entrepreneurs who transform scientific and technology-driven experimental academic research into viable commercial ventures. Research should have been accepted by an authorised South African academic or research institution.

Benefits

• Exposure: The competition offers student entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their innovative ideas to a wider audience, potentially attracting media attention, investors, and customers.
• Networking: Participants can connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders, fostering valuable relationships and gaining industry insights.
• Feedback: Student entrepreneurs receive constructive feedback on their businesses and presentations, helping them refine their strategies and operations.
• Funding opportunities: The competition provides student entrepreneurs with funding opportunities to further develop their ideas and transform them into successful ventures.
• Skills development: Participation enhances pitching and presentation skills, which are essential for long-term business success.
• Recognition: Winning the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity boosts credibility, making it easier to attract investors, customers, and strategic partners.

Funding Information

• Category Prizes:
  • Category 1: Existing Business – Tech – R20000.00
  • Category 1: Existing Business – Tech Runner Up – R10000.00
  • Category 2: Existing Business – Social Impact – R20000.00
  • Category 2: Existing Business – Social Impact 1st Runner Up – R10000.00
  • Category 2: Existing Business – Social Impact 2nd Runner Up – R10000.00
  • Category 3: Existing Business – General – R20000.00
  • Category 3: Existing Business – General Runner Up – R10000.00
  • Category 4: Academic Research Commercialisation – R20000.00
  • Category 4: Academic Research Commercialisation Runner Up – R10000.00
• Overall Prize:
  • Studentpreneur of The Year 2025 – R100000.00

Eligibility Criteria

• The EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity 2025 invites university students aged 18 to 35 from all 26 South African public universities to participate. Registered undergraduate and postgraduate students from all disciplines are eligible, whether they study full-time or part-time. However, MBA students are not eligible to participate. University staff members may only enter under the Commercialisation of Academic Research category.
• To qualify for participation, applicants must meet the following criteria:
  • Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or postgraduate student at one of the 26 South African public universities at the time of submission. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible.
  • Maintain good academic standing, as verified by their university’s EDHE Student Entrepreneurship Coordinators.
  • As the owner, founder, or controlling shareholder of an existing business competing in one of the categories, participants must be primarily responsible for its operation. Each business may only be represented by one participant in the competition.
  • The business entered must have been operational for at least three consecutive months before the competition entry.

For more information, visit EDHE.