We are looking for the most viable and innovative business ideas that will transform how and where we live. Ingenuity is looking to support:
Future Founders – investment-ready start-ups that produce sustainable impact across the UK.
Regional Pioneers – creating volunteering opportunities within existing organisations to help create, implement and support new impact driven enterprise.
Regional and national events will offer you the chance to work in partnership with diverse groups of like-minded individuals. Ingenuity will take place in the East Midlands, West Midlands, the West of England and across the South Coast. At these events you will:
Take part in a regional Challenge Summit, work with like-minded people and get expert feedback on your ideas. Our online workshops will explore the Ingenuity Challenges from a regional perspective.
Presentations by regional experts will offer context and help participants understand the priorities.
You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other Future Business Founders and Regional Pioneers, as well as mentors to explore your ideas.
Access Tutorials on our Develop Platform – an online learning platform with inspiration from leading social innovators and support from industry and academic experts to evolve your business idea. The tutorials will help you build a robust and tested business plan or proposition.
Exclusive interviews with leaders from charities, NGOs, impact entrepreneurs, investors and corporate social responsibility specialists.
Videos featuring industry professionals and academics. Topics covered will include design thinking, business planning, market analysis, sales strategy, financial planning, Intellectual Property rights, legal structures and much more.
Formalise your ideas and experiences into your submission to the competitive stages of Ingenuity to be in with a chance to receive significant investment.
Use the Develop Platform resources, along with the knowledge and partnerships gained from the Summits.
Work through your business model with mentors and investors, before pitching at the National Finals.
National Finalists will work with prospective investors and senior industry figures to fine tune their propositions.
Applications open! Sign up via the website, and work through Insights on the Develop Platform to create and submit your application.
Application deadline for Future Founders and Regional Pioneers. If you want to take part in the Ingenuity Programme as a Founder or Pioneer, make sure you’ve signed up and completed the first stage of the Develop Platform by this date.
Application deadline for Mentors. If you want to take part in the Ingenuity Programme as a Mentor, make sure you’ve signed up by this date.
Challenge Summits. These online events are a chance for you to gain deeper insights into the key issues facing your area to help you find a business solution.
Mentoring Sessions. These online events are a chance for you to work with expert mentors to test, validate and evolve your business solution.
Business Plan submission deadline. All plans will be assessed by industry experts, and shortlisted teams will be taken through to the final 16 in your region.
National Finals and the Ingenuity Impact Evening – where significant investment will be available!