The NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition is now in its 9th year and provides a framework to support UCD undergraduate and postgraduate students who want to work together to develop and grow start-up companies.
The aim of this competition is to assist students in refining their start-up ideas through a series of structured workshops, including taught content from industry experts, interactive workshops, regular pitching sessions and mentoring.
The competition will be run at NovaUCD.
Accessing the competition is via an application form and recorded video pitch on or before April 14th. Teams will be notified by April 21st if they have been selected.
10 teams will be selected to participate in the 4-week full-time in-person programme which takes place after the summer exams, from May 29th to June 23rd 2023
A final pitching event takes place on June 23rd and the competition winner will be selected. Prizes are as follows:
- 1st prize: €5000
- 2nd: €3000
- 3rd: €2000
Please see full NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition Terms and Conditions available here -
[pdf title="Competition Terms and Conditions 2023" url="/innovation/filebank/Competition_T&C_2023_V2.pdf" size="0.1MB" color="tile-green"]

Application Process
Key Date |
NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition Timeline |
Open Now |
Open for applications now via this link: https://forms.gle/Yzo9mK4HY5FLe7vB7 Application is via a short form and video pitch. In addition to the application form please submit a 5-minute video pitch to cover the following:
Please email this video to caroline.gill@ucd.ie ensuring that the file name includes your project name. |
April 7th |
Closing date for applications Competition Terms & Conditions are attached above. |
April 14th |
10 Teams will be notified that they have been successful and will be admitted to the competition |
May 29th |
Programme commences NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition 2023 which runs on a fulltime basis from May 29th – June 23rd in person at NovaUCD. |
June 23rd |
Final Pitching Event June 23rd - NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition winners will be selected by the judging panel. |
Students who are interested in finding out more about the NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition should contact:

Caroline Gill
Innovation Education Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, NovaUCD
t: +353 1 716 3715
e: caroline.gill@ucd.ie