Do you have an idea that could help solve real problems in society through Engineering? The University of Birmingham can support you to develop your idea and you could be in with a chance to win a share of the prize pot of £3,000!
Latest news
Dot Stores, designed by University of Birmingham master’s student Rushikesh Bagul, uses autonomous robotics to create around-the-clock retail stores that can operate without human intervention. Rushikesh, 25, scooped the Pre-Show People’s Vote at the Engineers in Business Champion of Champions competition.
He said: “It’s truly amazing to receive the People’s Vote award at Engineers in Business, especially as a robotics startup. Many people tend to be apprehensive about robotics and AI startups. Despite these challenges, winning this award provides us with validation and the confidence to persevere in our mission.
“By creating autonomous Dot Stores, we’re bridging gaps in accessibility, ensuring everyone can obtain groceries and medications anytime, anywhere. This innovation democratises retail, making quality products available at supermarket prices, even in premium locations. Ultimately, our technology doesn’t just transform businesses; it empowers communities, promoting accessibility, efficiency, and affordability, thereby significantly improving lives.
Rushikesh pitched his idea against nine other teams of student innovators at the event at the Royal Academy of Engineering on Friday 3 November 2023.
Find out more on the EIBC website.
University of Birmingham competition winners in 2023
The University of Birmingham internal competition was won by Jonathan Graham (BSc Computer Science with Digital Technology Partnership PwC) and Ben Ward, (BSc Computer Science with Digital Technology Partnership PwC). Their idea, Studystash, is a stress free and fun way to revise. The start-up offers a better way to prepare for exams, transforming traditional education into a personalised experience through a user-friendly and seamless user interface across all devices. Jon and Ben are also part of the prestigious University Incubator based at The Exchange!
In second place, was Alex Watkins (MEng Chemical Engineering) who is the founder of NuZones, a community for mountain bikers. In third place was Muscab Abdulqadir (BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering) creator of Mind Sentry - a wearable EEG device that revolutionises stroke detection and response.
Apply for the 2024 Competition
This year the University of Birmingham is hosting an internal competition with a chance to win a share of the £3,000 prize pot. Winners of the internal competition, will be entered into the Champion of Champions Final for a chance to compete for a national prize of up to £16,000 prize pot. Applications can be on an individual basis or you can enter as a team. Please drop us an email benterprising@contacts.bham.ac.uk if you are interested in applying and we can arrange further support.
University of Birmingham competition prizes
- £1,500 to be awarded to the 1st place individual/team
- £1,000 to be awarded to the 2nd place individual/team
- £500 to be awarded to the 3rd place individual/team
The national competition is organised by the Engineers in Business Fellowship (EIBF).
Step 1: Create your short video
Your video should address the following points and include any additional material that supports your idea:
- the originality of your idea
- how your idea addresses a need in society
- clearly defined target audiences and the benefits of the innovation
- the viability of the idea and how that is communicated
- your video should be no longer than 4 minutes
For further support on creating your video, please refer to the online resources on the B-Enterprising Learning Hub (Sharepoint)
The video must be MP4 format, and the maximum size is 200MB. This information appears on-screen when you upload your video.
Step 2: Create your 'Business Model Canvas'
You may have used the Business Model Canvas within your course/competition to develop your business idea. If so, you simply need to use your previous experience to prepare this for your entry. If you have not used a Business Model Canvas template before, you can refer to the guidance on the B-Enterprising Learning Hub.
Step 3: Submission
Fill in your personal details on the submission form. Please upload your short video and Business Model Canvas on the submission form below.
Key dates
- UoB competition deadline - Sunday 28 July 2024 (at 23:59)
- Winners announced - before end of August 2024
- Finalists submit to National Competition - September 2024
- National competition - November 2024
- The competition is open to University of Birmingham students and graduates.
- UoB graduates are eligible to apply (up to five years since graduating)
- If you are entering as a team, you must ensure at least one member is from an Engineering related subject
- The following courses are eligible for Engineers in Business:
- All engineering courses (including product design courses)
- Computer science courses (including data science courses)
- Financial technology courses
- Medicinal and biological chemistry courses
- Generic biology courses (biology, microbiology etc)
- Generic medicine and pharmacy courses
- For any niche courses similar to the courses listed above, queries can be sent to https://www.eibf.org.uk/contact.
Please refer to the Engineers in Business competition FAQs here for further guidance
Nicola Gittins - Deputy Director
Student Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, Careers Network, University of Birmingham
“We are delighted to be part of the Engineering in Business Competition and hugely grateful for the opportunities the sponsorship provides. Enterprise and entrepreneurship education has never been more important and EIB has proven to be an invaluable learning experience. It is very evident how much our aspiring engineers have gained and how effectively they have enhanced their skills through the development of genuine commercial ideas.”
If you have any questions regarding the competition or the process to enter it please contact us at benterprising@contacts.bham.ac.uk.