Are you looking for funding to launch your business?

Launch Point gives University of Edinburgh students and recent alumni (up to two years post-graduation) the chance to win a share of £1,000 to help bring their startup idea to life.

We’re looking for ambitious students and recent graduates from the University of Edinburgh with early-stage ideas that fit into the university's core missions.

These 3 core missions are:

• Data, Digital & AI
• Future Health & Care
• Climate & Environment 

Submit either a 5-minute video or a short written application, and you could secure funding to take your idea to the next level.

🗓️ The deadline for applications is 14 November 2025 at 12:00 PM (midday).

Late submissions will not be accepted.

This competition is designed for early-stage businesses planning to launch within the next 12 months. At this stage, applicants should be focused on developing their product or service and actively engaging in customer discovery.

📄 Our full marking criteria can be found in the PDF here.

Can I apply if I am on a visa?  

This depends on the conditions of your visa. While you’re welcome to apply to this competition and use funding to test your ideas, starting a business may be restricted under certain visa types. We recommend reviewing your visa conditions and speaking with the Student Immigration Service for tailored advice.  

For the purposes of this competition, we are particularly seeking individuals who do not have visa restrictions related to business activity, or who expect to transition to a visa without such restrictions within the next 12 months.

If you are having any issues accessing the form, please email sarah.gibbens@ei.ed.ac.uk