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
The 2026 King’s Entrepreneurship Prize competition launches in November 2025 and we hope that you will get involved!
The 2026 competition guidelines are now available! Please ensure you read them.
When your competition entry is ready to submit, please name it appropriately and email it with the 2026 KEP Entry Form to enterprise@kings.cam.ac.uk. After your entry has been received, you will be issued with a receipt of entry.
If you have any questions, get in touch!
Timeline
The 2026 deadline dates are as follows.
| November | Entrepreneurship Prize opens for Business Idea submissions |
| 19 January | Deadline for Business Idea submissions (max 4 pages and 500 words) |
| 27 February | Very latest entrants notified whether or not their Business Idea has made the next stage |
| 9 March | Deadline for submission of Short Pitch documents (max 8 pages and 800 words) |
| 24 April | Very latest entrants notified whether or not they are through to the Lyons Den |
| 01 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 |
| 09 June | Lyons Den Seed Investment Pitch schedule confirmed with entrants |
| 25 June | The Lyons Den: Seed Investment Pitches to the Entrepreneurship Panel |
| 08 July | Lyons Den finalists notified whether or not they are prize-winners |
| From July | Winners to send in progress reports |
