Entrepreneurship Prize
Encouraging the development of entrepreneurial ideas and concepts, ensuring sustainable commercial and social benefit.
King’s College has always been entrepreneurial, and our members have long pioneered advancements in their fields.
In 2014, the King’s College Entrepreneurship Prize competition was founded, to further support and publicly recognise these entrepreneurial endeavours. Its mission is to encourage the development of entrepreneurial ideas and concepts, where creativity and know-how can be converted into sustainable commercial and social benefit.
We are delighted that over this period, the King’s College Entrepreneurship Prize competition has recognised 26 winning businesses, awarded over £360,000 in funding, and our expert panel of judges have provided many more start-ups, from a wide range of industries, with valuable advice and mentorship.
After a long-listing and short-listing process, finalists compete at the Lyons Den final for a first prize of up to £20,000, with the judges also able to make discretionary awards.
The panel of judges is comprised of members of the College Fellowship and King’s alumni with expertise in business development and venture capital.
The Competition is open to all students, Fellows, College Research Associates and alumni of King’s, irrespective of age or location.
In keeping with the College’s educational mission, all candidates, regardless of whether they are prize-winners, are offered feedback on request.
We strongly encourage King’s Members to enter and put forward your initiatives for the consideration of the judges!
How to enter
You have missed the 2025 KEP competition but please prepare for the 2026 competition, which will launch in November 2025!
As you would expect, our competition guidelines are annually updated. The 2025 guidelines can be read here in the interim. Please ensure that you read the most current guidelines before submitting your entry to the King’s Entrepreneurship Prize.
If you have any questions, get in touch!
Timeline
Below is a typical Entrepreneurship Prize competition cycle. The 2026 deadline dates will be confirmed in November 2025.
| November | Entrepreneurship Prize opens for Business Idea submissions |
| January | Deadline for Business Idea submissions (max 4 pages and 500 words) |
| February | Very latest entrants notified whether or not their Business Idea has made the next stage |
| March | Deadline for submission of Short Pitch documents (max 8 pages and 800 words) |
| April | Entrants notified whether or not they are through to the Lyons Den |
| June | Seed Investment Pitch documents to be submitted. To include slide deck (max 12 pages and 1200 words), non-confidential business summary and team photo |
| June | 'Lyons Den' Seed Investment Pitch schedule confirmed with entrants |
| June | The 'Lyons Den': Seed Investment Pitches to the Entrepreneurship Panel |
| July | 'Lyons Den' finalists notified whether or not they are prize-winners |
| From July | Winners to send in progress reports |
