The E-Lab launches the 2026 Entrepreneurship Essay Competition

The King’s Entrepreneurship Lab (E-Lab) is delighted to introduce the fourth edition of the Entrepreneurship Essay Competition, which encourages UK-based students to pursue entrepreneurial aspirations and understand better how to launch an enterprise. The E-Lab is particularly keen to foster this entrepreneurial spirit among students who might not traditionally consider entering the world of business and hope this competition encourages more young people to apply to Oxbridge and Higher Education.

E-Lab associate Lucy Rogers and E-Lab Residential student Maryam Bham will be running this year’s competition and look forward to reading all the entries and to welcoming the prize winners to the College in due course.

Students should choose between one of the four possible essay questions exploring the importance of entrepreneurialism and the challenges that business people face. UK-based students currently in years 11, 12 and 13 in England and Wales; S4, S5 and S6 in Scotland; or years 12, 13 or 14 in Northern Ireland - regardless of subjects studied - are welcome to enter the competition. A winner, and two runners-up, will be invited to King’s College for a prize-giving ceremony in December 2026, and the winner will receive a cash prize of £1,500, with each runner-up receiving £750.

The deadline for entries is 9pm on 5 August 2026. The choice of questions and full details on eligibility and the rules can be found on the E-Lab website here.