Got a great business idea to share with the world and want to win some cash?

Then enter The People and Planet Prize: Business Ideas Competition 2026!!!  This is the University of Brighton’s Student Enterprise annual business ideas competition, which encourages you to generate an idea that you can turn into a viable business that benefits people or our planet.

The University of Brighton’s Global Challenges

We would like you to take inspiration from the University of Brighton’s Global Challenges (see below) which are informed by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Global Challenges at the University of Brighton

Your business idea should address a real-world theme that you are concerned about relating to  any of these issues:

• cost of living
• wellbeing
• equality
• the climate and ecological emergency.

Past finalists of the Prize

Read about last year’s winner here. In previous years, the competition finalists have had ideas for an inclusive sports app, a drawing tool for disabled artists, an inclusive arts community project, and a tool to help neurodiverse young people to develop mindfulness skills.

Deadline to apply for the People and Planet Prize

If you are a University of Brighton student or a recent graduate (from the Class of 2025), make sure you submit your idea to the Student Enterprise team at beepurple@brighton.ac.uk before Friday 13 March 2026.

How to apply – and the pitch final

With cash prizes up to £1,000 and expert mentoring up for grabs, students that are selected by our first round judges get the chance to pitch their idea to a distinguished judging panel in front of a live audience at the final on Wednesday 29 April 2026.

Students can enter either on their own or as part of a team.

The application process is really straightforward, and you don’t need a business plan or any start-up experience. To apply, you will need to complete the  application form below.

People-and-Planet-Prize-Application-Form-2026