Wired Wessex

University College London, Lancaster University, The University of York and Queen’s Belfast have teamed up with five Chinese universities to run a competition that has two tracks: one for students and one for existing businesses working with China.

This entrepreneurship competition aims to encourage new business ventures between China and the United Kingdom and is intended to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from early-stage investors and venture capital firms. We are really looking for entrepreneurs and existing small businesses that are doing something innovative in their international links, whether the relationship is customer-supplier, joint R&D, novel marketing – anything different that shows how small companies can thrive across borders and cultures!

The competition is divided into two challenge tracks:
-Innovative Business track (for existing businesses)
-Tomorrow’s Leaders track (for students)

Thirty-two teams will be selected to participate in this competition for up to £9,500 in prizes in the national rounds, together with an investment opportunity of £250,000 for the grand international final!

You can register now at: www.chinaukchallenge.com

Key Dates:
Idea Assessment – 12 March 2010
Semi-Finals – April 2010
National Finals – June 2010
International Grand Final – September 2010