The Bright Ideas Den (BID)

BID is designed to give students and graduates (within 3 years of graduating) from any background the opportunity to deliver a business concept, receive valuable feedback and secure investment.

You need no prior business experience to enter theDen; the only requirements are open mindedness, creativity and enthusiasm!

This is your chance to develop your idea into a proposal and pitch it to a panel of entrepreneurial experts.

Have you got a bright idea for the following?

  • A new business, service or product?
  • A social enterprise, project or service?
  • A better way of presenting, creating or delivering existing products and services?

What’s in it for you?

  • Up to £1,000 investment
  • A chance to explore and develop your ideas
  • Develop your presentation skills
  • Enable you to learn about making convincing proposals
  • Getting your idea out there to kick-start your new business
  • Provide you with hands-on experience of learning about business
  • Enhance your CV

Competition Process

You can enter the Bright Ideas Den as:

  • An individual or part of a business partnership(max 6 members)

You need to be:

  • A USW student or graduate (within 3 years of graduating)

Your business idea

  • Needs to be legal and based within Wales & England

If an individual or business partnership has secured funding from any Bright Ideas Den within the last year and wishes to apply for further funding via the Dens then please contact the Student Enterprise Team before applying.

Team Details

Please complete all your team details in the management section. The lead entrant will be the main point of contact between your team and the Student Enterprise Team. If your lead entrant changes during the competition please let us know.

Bright Ideas Entry

The application form has been split into separate sections to make sure you consider the key issues whilst writing your proposal. Its aim is to generate a market feasibility study. The more research you do into your idea the stronger your case will be. Don’t forget there is support available if you need it.

Judging criteria

A panel of judges will determine which business ideas will receive funding based on:

  • the quality and originality of your idea
  • its potential to address a real need
  • the persuasiveness of your pitch

The judges chosen all have a background in business start-up support.

Please make sure you present your entry professionally, using the form provided.

Submitting your entry

Entry forms need to arrive no later than 12 noon on the deadline date for applications.

Please note the form must be signed by you, and your team if applicable, indicating your acceptance of the terms and conditions. Typing your name in the signature box of the application form will be taken as an equivalent to a signature.