The Sir Thomas White Loans Charity is partnering with the University of Leicester for its 2026 Business Start-Up Competition to showcase ambitious student business ideas.
Now in its third year, the competition encourages students and recent graduates from the University of up to three years to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas and current business activities to a panel of judges.
Following feedback from previous applications, for this year all shortlisted finalists for the competition will be guaranteed a package of support which includes a £250 business grant from the Sir Thomas White Loans Charity (STWLC).
Alongside the business grant, all finalists will receive access to entrepreneurial business and professional development networks and opportunities including Leicester Startups membership, Generation Next, and Leicestershire Business Voice. It is hoped this will support the entrepreneurs and their business to make the desired progress and grow.
Students and recent graduates (up to three years since graduation) who want to take part should apply by Wednesday 18 February 2026. More information is online here: Business Start-Up Competition 2026 (University of Leicester log-in required).
Tom Ledgard, Head of Careers and Employability said: “I’m really pleased that we are partnering with Sir Thomas White Loans Charity, which we expect will greatly benefit both organisations as well as our students, recent graduates and local community. They are huge supporters of the local entrepreneur eco-system across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and through their kind support our finalists this year can explore further opportunities with them and have access to a great network to grow their business within.
“Being a finalist in the University’s Business Start-Up Competition will be a tremendous achievement to applicants as they will have had to communicate their business idea and plans effectively to the assessment panel and demonstrate their innovation and potential.”
Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the University of Leicester to support this year’s Business Start-Up Competition. The creativity and ambition shown by students never fails to inspire us, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing these business ideas develop. At STWLC, we’re proud to offer interest-free business loans to help turn great ideas into real ventures, and we’re excited to see what this next generation of entrepreneurs will achieve.”
The 2025 Business Start-Up Competition was won by Leya Luhar, a current student who had successfully launched OSCE Toolbox and had plans to further grow the number of learning opportunities for the primary audience of pharmacy students studying to pass their assessment. In total, there were 11 finalists who all pitched their business ideas and plans well to the panel, including undergraduate and postgraduate students but also recent graduates.
University of Leicester students and graduates can also access programmes of support to develop their skills for employment and establishing new business ventures, including access to workshops, seed funding, and workspaces. The University works closely with many businesses, not just those from students and graduates, and aims to accelerate innovation by turning great research and business ideas into innovative products, services through free or subsidised innovation support. Connect and explore the services available to your business here: https://le.ac.uk/enterprise
