StartUp Idea of the Year: Unleash your big business idea in 2025

Have a game-changing idea to take your business to the next level? This is your moment to shine!

Enterprise Nation, the go-to platform for small business support, has teamed up with Monzo Business to launch the StartUp Idea of the Year competition.

With cash grants of up to £10,000 on the table, this new contest is set to supercharge the dreams of budding entrepreneurs across the UK.

StartUp Idea of the Year kicked off at Enterprise Nation's Start Up Show on 25 January and will run until 28 February. Applicants will have until then to submit their big ideas.

Shortlisted entrants will be asked to create a video pitch detailing their concepts, with the winners announced on 31 March.

Why enter?

Starting and growing a business can feel like a leap into the unknown, and financial worries are often the biggest hurdle.

But imagine this: you have a groundbreaking idea, and with the right support, you could bring it to life. That's exactly what this competition offers.

StartUp Idea of the Year is designed to reward innovation, bring new ideas to fruition and help entrepreneurs take their concepts to the next level.

Prizes include:

• First place: £10,000

• Second place: £8,000

• Third place: £7,000

Eligible applicants will receive a free six-month subscription to a Monzo Business Pro bank account.

(This offer is subject to Monzo's terms and conditions and eligibility criteria and is only for new Monzo Personal and Business customers. Enterprise Nation will notify eligible applicants when the offer is ready to be redeemed.)

Who can apply?

The competition is open to UK-based businesses that meet the following criteria:

• You're based in the UK

• You've been trading for at least three months but no more than six years (72 months)

• You're registered as a business or self-employed (with proof of your UTR)

• You have a UK business bank account (or are ready to open one)

• You're not undergoing insolvency, examinership, receivership or any related or similar process

For full conditions of entry, please refer to the terms and conditions.

Celebrating the UK's entrepreneurial spirit

According to Enterprise Nation's 2025 Start Up Ambition Report, nearly half (47%) of UK adults are considering starting a business or side hustle in the next year. However, financial concerns hold many back.

Emma Jones CBE, founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation, recognises this challenge:

"Rewarding innovation and supporting people to develop, test and bring new ideas to fruition is so important.

"This competition is not just about grants – it's about celebrating and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in the UK."

Monzo Business, a leader in digital business banking, is a proud partner in this initiative. Jordan Shwide, general manager at Monzo Business, says:

"It's great to see that the appetite for people across the UK to start a business is higher than ever. However, there is still significant concern over the finances of starting up.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, so with that in mind, removing the barriers to starting an enterprise is vital.

"By launching our StartUp Idea of the Year competition, we hope it will encourage more self-starters to have confidence in their ideas and take them to the next level.

"We're determined to help support ingenuity by working with our over 500,000 business customers to build features that do the heavy lifting, so they can focus on what really matters."

Ready to make 2025 your year?

If you've been sitting on an idea, wondering if this is the right time to act – it is!

The StartUp Idea of the Year competition is your opportunity to secure funding, gain recognition and turn your vision into reality.

Applications are open now and will close on 28 February 2025. Don't miss your chance to be one of the UK's next big success stories. Apply now!