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LUBS International Entrepreneur Award 2026

The LUBS International Entrepreneur Award is a both a competition and a learning masterclass. By participating, you will have the chance to develop the kind of skills in entrepreneurship which business leaders value the most - and you may even be crowned the victorious prizewinner!

Entrepreneur Award Team from 2025

Get the skills for success!

The Entrepreneur Award is designed and delivered by LUBS academics with strong experience of industry and growth planning.

Taking part in the Award gives you access to an exclusive series of on-campus practical learning experiences and mentoring by C-suite Leeds Alumni, who will help you refine your plans and ideas.

The programme will develop your entrepreneurial skills and mindset, with the ultimate goal being for you to submit a creative, realistic and innovative business idea that would work in the current climate.

Earn Microcredentials!

Not everyone can be the overall winner - but every single student who completes the Award will earn the following microcredentials to make your CV glow, and show employers how awesome you are:

  • The Essentials of Business Planning
  • Pitching Essentials
  • Certificate of Completion for the LUBS International Entrepreneur Award 2026

Who can enter?

All LUBS undergraduate and postgraduate students can enter, either alone or combined into teams of up to four members.

Caution: Places are strictly limited to 100 places, so act fast to get yours!

How to enter

Follow these steps to secure your chance to become an entrepreneurial success:

  1. Decide if you want to enter alone, or find three other LUBS students to make a team.
  2. Read the Award schedule further down this page and make sure you can commit to the time required.
  3. Complete the application form before the deadline. Teams should complete one form for the whole team.

Deadline for entries: 17:00, Friday 6 February 2026

2026 Award event schedule

All Award event sessions will be held in the Maurice Keyworth Building, Seminar Room G31 (rear entrance).

By signing up for the LUBS International Entrepreneur Award 2025 you must attend the following sessions:

  • Session 1 - Monday 9 February, 18:00 - 20:30
  • Session 2 - Monday 16 February, 18:00 - 20:30
  • Session 3 - Monday 23 February, 18:00 - 20:30
  • Session 4 - Monday 2 March, 18:00 - 20:30
  • Session 5 - Monday 9 March, 18:00 - 20:30
  • Session 6 - Monday 10 March,18:00 - 20:30
  • Session 7 - Monday 16 March, 18:00 - 20:30
  • Finals: Wednesday 6 May 2026, 18:00 - 20:30

Note: if you have a timetabled teaching session with a 18:00 end time, you can still join the above sessions.

Questions and help

If you need assistance or have questions about the Bootcamp not covered by the information on this page, please email Award organiser and LUBS Associate Professor, Rebecca Padgett:

The 2025 event

You can find out how it all went down at last years' Award through the images and quotes below, and there is also a full 2025 write up on the main LUBS website.

It has been an exciting, transformative, and intense 3 months, attending evening workshops, creating a business plan and pitching to business experts. I am deeply grateful for this experience - genuinely one of the best things I have ever done. I have learned so much and am so inspired.

Zak Kushner, 2025 participant