IDEAFEST Student Business Idea Competition

With cash prizes up to £1,000 and expert mentoring up for grabs, students who enter IDEAFEST have the opportunity to present their business ideas and gain support that could lead to the business idea being commercialised. You don't need prior knowledge of entrepreneurship or business experience to enter IDEAFEST - all that's required is a business idea and genuine passion to develop the business idea.

IDEAFEST comprises of two rounds, with the first round involving submitting your idea to a panel of judges. The best entries will move onto the second round, where students get the chance to pitch their idea to the judging panel in front of a live audience.

Students can enter IDEAFEST either on their own or as part of a team. Prior to submitting an entry, it's recommended that students book an appointment at the Business Idea and Start-Up Clinic to help develop their idea. Students can book an appointment via MyJobsOnline.

Students interested to entry IDEAFEST should diarise these dates and look out for further details and the link to download the entry form.

To enter IDEAFEST 2025, please complete the IDEAFEST 2025 entry form. When prompted, please log-in using your University of Reading student Microsoft 365 account.

Join the audience

To join the audience at the final of the IDEAFEST 2025 Competition on 30 April 2025 register here: https://forms.office.com/e/Tiqt8wtKKA

The IDEAFEST Business Idea Competition Workshop, held on 12 February 2025 at Henley Business School, was a resounding success. Hosted by the Henley Enterprise Lab more than 40 students attended the event, which featured insightful presentations from Prof. Norbert Morawetz, who discussed ‘The 7 Principles of Winning IDEAFEST,’ and Jonathan Hayes, a corporate lawyer at Clarkslegal, who covered the legal aspects of starting a business. Additionally, a panel of last year’s winners shared their experiences of the Competition and tips for success.

Student engagement was notably high throughout the workshop. Attendees actively participated by asking numerous questions, eager to learn more about the Competition, the application process, and strategies for winning. The interactive nature of the event ensured that students left with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to succeed in winning IDEAFEST.

The key takeaway message for students was clear: “Enter the competition, develop your idea, and win cash prizes.” This call to action resonated with the students, inspiring them to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journeys. The workshop not only provided valuable knowledge but also motivated students to pursue their business ideas with confidence and determination.

Students can obtain a recording and transcript of the Workshop by requesting it from Jurek Sikorski at jurek.sikorski@henley.ac.uk

Sales Masterclass Inspires Over 50 Students at Henley Business School

On 26 February 2025, the Henley Enterprise Lab at Henley Business School hosted a highly successful Sales Masterclass, delivered by Glyn Miles, Group Sales Director at Southern Communications Group. The event saw an impressive turnout, with over 50 university students attending to gain invaluable insights into the world of sales.

The Sales Masterclass was meticulously designed to equip students with the critical skills needed to present and pitch their ideas confidently, effectively, and persuasively. Glyn Miles, with his extensive experience and expertise, covered a wide range of topics that are essential for anyone looking to excel in sales.

One of the key highlights of the Masterclass was the focus on effective communication. Glyn emphasised the importance of clear and concise communication in sales, explaining how it can make or break a deal. He also delved into the art of identifying and leveraging customer pain points, a crucial skill for any salesperson. By understanding the challenges and needs of their customers, students learned how to tailor their pitches to offer the most relevant solutions.

Questioning techniques were another significant topic covered during the session. Glyn introduced the students to various questioning strategies that can help uncover valuable information from potential customers. These techniques are designed to build rapport and trust, making it easier to guide the conversation towards a successful sale.

The Sandler principles, a renowned sales methodology, were also discussed in detail. Glyn explained how these principles can be applied to manage the sales cycle effectively, from prospecting to closing the deal. The students were particularly interested in learning about the systematic approach that the Sandler principles offer, which can help them stay organised and focused throughout the sales process.

Storytelling and presentation skills were another major focus of the Masterclass. Glyn highlighted the power of storytelling in sales, demonstrating how a well-crafted story can captivate an audience and make a pitch more memorable. He provided practical tips on how to structure a compelling narrative and deliver it with confidence.

One of the most engaging parts of the Masterclass was the discussion on the DISC methodology. Glyn explained how this tool can be used to distinguish between different types of customers – Dominant, Influential, Stable, and Compliant. By understanding these personality types, students can tailor their sales approach to match the preferences and behaviours of their customers, increasing their chances of success.

The students were highly engaged throughout the session, actively participating in discussions and asking insightful questions. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were evident, and Glyn was more than happy to share his knowledge and experiences. The interactive nature of the Sales Masterclass made it a dynamic and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive. Many of them rated the Sales Masterclass as one of the best they have attended at Henley Business School. They appreciated the practical insights and real-world examples provided by Glyn, which made the concepts easier to understand and apply.

The Sales Masterclass delivered by Glyn Miles was a resounding success. It not only inspired the students but also equipped them with the essential skills needed to excel in the competitive world of sales. The Henley Enterprise Lab at Henley Business School continues to provide valuable opportunities for students to learn from industry experts, preparing them for successful careers in their chosen fields.

Learning and applying the knowledge of what sales is about and becoming good at selling is a crucial career and life skill essential for achieving success, howsoever defined.

IDEAFEST 2024, the final of which was held on 24 April 2024, was won by William Haresceugh with Aimful, an AI-powered coaching app for employee personal development, offering 24/7 on-demand access to coaching sessions. William collected £1,000 for winning the Best Business Idea category.

The cash prize of £1,000 for the Best Innovative Idea was also won by William, whilst the Best Business Idea for China categories and a bursary of £3,000 was awarded to the team which developed Senspore, a proptech business that is developing a mould detection device made from PLA recycled plastic.

This is what Will had said about their experiences of participating at the final of IDEAFEST:

“Participating in IDEAFEST 2024 has been an Incredible experience. The mentorship and support that's been provided by the Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship (HCFE) has been above and beyond. Not only did this support enable Aimful to win the awards for both 'Best Overall Idea' & 'Best Innovative Idea', but it also helped facilitate the commercialisation of Aimful.”

Alana Rodrigues speaking on behalf of the Senspore team said: "Being recognised at IDEAFEST is a testament to the hard work of our team. We're thrilled to continue innovating and tackling challenges in the real estate industry."

Previous winners have echoed the words of William and Alana:

Brandon Bradford winner of IDEAFEST 2023 with Investor Pro Academy said: "My business has been in the works for 12 months and I'm now ready to launch. I'm grateful for the chance to pitch and pleased the judges saw the potential in the idea."

Shlok Maheshwari, IDEAFEST 2022 winner and BA Entrepreneurship student: "IDEAFEST was a good way to develop and explore the possibilities of building a business idea. Winning just made it all the sweeter."

Josh Moden, IDEAFEST 2021 winner and BA Entrepreneurship and Management student: "I entered IDEAFEST as I felt it was a way to show what I had accomplished through my entrepreneurial business ventures, as well as giving me a chance to test out my presentation skills in front of an expert audience. I found the whole experience to be very well executed and a great help in terms of planning and carrying out a great presentation. It was great to be a part of the process and I would definitely recommend anyone who is thinking of entering the competition to do so.

Lucas Cimino, IDEAFEST 2020 winner and BA Entrepreneurship and Management student: "I'm honoured - IDEAFEST is a great competition. The process to practice pitching gives students skills they can use forever."

Read the full news release of the IDEAFEST 2024 Final

IDEAFEST is kindly sponsored by Savio Kwan, the former President and COO of Alibaba and Southern Communications Group.