Join the 2024/2025 Heriot-Watt Global Innovation Challenge

Heriot-Watt University is thrilled to announce the return of the Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) for the 2024/2025 academic year. This annual flagship entrepreneurial competition, delivered by the GRID (Global Research, Innovation, and Discovery) team, invites students, early-career academics, and recent alumni from across all Heriot-Watt campuses to participate in a transformative workshop programme designed to nurture and ignite the entrepreneurial spirit.

Ignite your entrepreneurial journey

The Global Innovation Challenge is more than just a competition—it’s a platform for ambitious individuals to turn their innovative ideas into reality. Whether participants are new students, PhD candidates, or postgraduate researchers, the GIC offers a unique opportunity to gain essential entrepreneurial skills through a series of expert-led workshops. These sessions cover key topics such as idea generation, market research, product-market fit, business models, customer engagement, and funding pathways, culminating in the chance to pitch for up to £5000 in funding.

Participants will have the opportunity to network with like-minded innovators from Heriot-Watt’s global community, including those in Edinburgh, Dubai, Malaysia, Orkney, and the Scottish Borders, as well as students taking part from Heriot-Watt Online. This diverse community is a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering a global perspective on entrepreneurship.

A proven success story

Last year’s Global Innovation Challenge attracted over 500 participants from across the university’s global community, and the excitement is building for an even larger turnout this year. The GIC continues to be a beacon of innovation and opportunity for those looking to take the first steps in their entrepreneurial journey.

Key details

• Application deadline: Open now, closing Friday, 13th September 2024
• Workshop series starts: Wednesday, 25th September 2024
• Schedule: Every Wednesday from 12:30pm – 2:30pm (BST/UTC), through to November 2024
• Format: Online and In-Person

The Global Innovation Challenge is open to all Heriot-Watt students, staff, and alumni (up to three years post-graduation) from any discipline. Whether participants have a fully developed business idea or are just beginning to explore the possibilities, the GIC provides the tools, guidance, and support needed to turn ideas into viable business ventures.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2024/2025 Global Innovation Challenge are now open, and interested participants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Don’t miss this opportunity to redefine your future and make a lasting impact.

Apply here: https://go.hw.ac.uk/GIC24

For more information, please contact the GRID team at grid@hw.ac.uk.