100 Big Ideas is back! 

100 Days, 100 Cash Prizes, £100 Each.

We’re on the lookout for new and exciting ideas, whether they could transform the world, make a significant impact, or solve a problem you’re passionate about. 100 Big Ideas is open to all students at The University of Southampton, regardless of your field of study or year. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or someone with a creative solution for a global issue, this competition is for you.

100 Big Ideas is open to all current students of the University of Southampton, no matter your subject area or year of study.

Enter an idea!

What We’re Looking For:

1. Business Ideas: If you have a concept for a new product, service, or business, this is your chance to get it noticed. We want to hear about innovative ideas that could lead to a successful business venture.
2. Ideas for Impact: You can also submit ideas that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These ideas should address global challenges, such as improving health, reducing inequality, or protecting the environment.

Submission Details:

• Applications Open: Midnight, Thursday 5 September
• Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 15 December

How to Get Involved:

• Book a 1-1 with Our Student Enterprise Team: If you need guidance on developing your idea or navigating the competition, book a personal session with us or join one of our ideation sessions. 
• Ideas for Impact with Enactus: Focused on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, this session will help you shape ideas that can make a real-world impact. (Date TBC) 
• What’s the Big Idea Coffee Mornings: Join us for dedicated coffee mornings to brainstorm and energise your ideas. Links to these sessions will become available below when they go live. If these sessions are fully booked, we will release additional dates. 
  • Dates TBC

Key Points to Remember:

• The prize fund is limited, so it’s best to submit your idea early. We’ll be announcing winners at regular intervals, and if we reach 100 winners before the deadline, the competition will close early. Remember, you can enter as many times as you like for a chance to win!
• Winners Announced: We will review submissions and announce winners regularly throughout the competition. You can submit multiple ideas, but remember, you can only win once.
• Turn Your Idea into a Business: If you’re ready to bring your idea to life, our Student Enterprise team is here to support you.

Get creative, think BIG, and make a difference!

Top Tips and FAQs:

• Don’t Overthink It: The competition is meant to be fun and engaging. Even unconventional ideas could win, but you have to enter to win! 
• When will I Receive My £100? We aim to pay you as soon as we can. Ensure your Student Payment details are updated for a smooth transaction. 
• Concerned About Idea Theft? We are committed to protecting your idea. You can choose what information is public and what remains confidential. 
• Does It Have to Be a Business Idea? No, your idea can also contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Whether it’s a business concept or a solution to a global challenge, we want to hear it! 
• Can I Enter More Than Once? Yes, you’re encouraged to submit as many ideas as you like!
• Can I Enter as a Team? Yes, you can collaborate with other students, but there is only one cash prize per winning idea.

Submit your BIG idea today and be part of something extraordinary! 

Need Help Developing Your Idea?

If you’re looking for assistance in brainstorming or refining your idea, we offer several resources to support you: 

• Book a 1-1 Session: Schedule a personal meeting with a member of our team for customised guidance and support. 
• Attend a Coffee Morning: Join our informal sessions to discuss and energise your ideas with peers and mentors. 
• Join the Enactus and Student Enterprise Workshop: Participate in our workshop focused on ideation and creating impactful ideas. 

Tips for Generating Amazing Ideas: 

If you’re looking for assistance in brainstorming or refining your idea, we offer several resources to support you: 

• Define Your Problem or Goal: Clearly outline the issue you want to address or the objective you aim to achieve. A focused goal will guide your creative process. 
• Research and Gather Information: Collect information through reading, surveys, and expert consultations. The more you understand, the more informed your ideas will be. 
• Brainstorm: Generate as many ideas as possible, without judging their feasibility at first. This can be done individually or in a group setting. 
• Mind Mapping: Create a visual map of your thoughts, starting with a central concept and branching out with related ideas. This helps uncover connections and new possibilities. 
• Analogous Thinking: Draw parallels from unrelated fields to inspire innovative solutions for your problem. 
• Reverse Thinking: Approach the problem from a different angle by considering how to make it worse. Reverse these ideas to find potential solutions.
• Introduce Constraints: Adding limitations can spur creativity by forcing you to think outside the box. 
• Collaborate and Seek Feedback: Share your ideas with others and refine them based on feedback. Collaboration often leads to stronger concepts. 
• Prototype and Experiment: Test small-scale versions of your ideas to see what works. Prototyping helps you learn and adapt. 
• Take Breaks: Sometimes, ideas come when you’re not actively thinking about them. Relax and engage in other activities to let your mind wander. 
• Learn from Others: Study successful innovations and creative thinkers. Apply similar principles to your own ideas. 
• Iterate and Refine: Be prepared to improve your ideas over time. Continuous refinement leads to stronger concepts. 

Remember, creativity is a skill that grows with practice. Embrace the process, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks—they are often part of the journey to great ideas.

Enter an idea!