About the Competition
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year is more than a competition – it’s a launchpad for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Students from all backgrounds are invited to bring forward their side hustle or business idea, no matter how big or small, and present it to a panel of expert judges.
Imployable are launching Young Entrepreneur of the Year which is in it’s 4th year, and we are on the hunt for the UK’s brightest young entrepreneurs aged 14–18 who believe their side hustle or business idea deserves recognition. Open to individuals and teams of up to four, the challenge is designed for those already running a side hustle or with an exceptional business idea ready to shine. Winners will secure one-to-one professional mentoring from industry specialists, while the top 50 applicants will also receive a tailored support package with pitching guidance, business insights, and expert advice to help them take their ideas to the next level.
Why Enter?
Winners don’t just walk away with recognition – they gain access to mentoring and tailored support to help turn their ideas into reality. Whether it’s a passion project, a startup dream, or an innovative solution to a real-world challenge, the initiative is designed to nurture creativity and reward ambition.
If you feel like you’ve got what it takes, please click ‘Enter Here’ below to fill in a short form which will ping over to our admin team, who in turn will send you an official ‘Application Form’ and ‘Competition Guideline Document’ back to you. Good Luck!
Students
Open to students with an entrepreneurial mindset, the competition welcomes ideas at every stage - from early concepts to ventures already taking shape.
Impact
By entering, students join a community of innovators, gain valuable feedback from industry experts, and take a bold step toward building a future on their own terms
TIMELINE
Applications Open
Enter your side hustle or business ideaPlease fill in the official Young Entrepreneur of the Year application document. This will be sent to you after you have submitted the short entry form on this page
Application Entries Close
All applications must be entered by 5pm on this dayJudges will use the Christmas period to choose the successful applications.
Unfortunately due to high application numbers we cannot accept applications after deadline
Successful applications will be announce first week of January
The Finals
Students will pitch to a panel of judgesThe Event will be In-Person and students will pitch to a panel of judges.
The winners will win 1:1 Professional Mentoring and Recognition.
Before You Enter Please Read
The Competition Rules
To keep the Young Entrepreneur of the Year fair, inspiring, and fun for everyone, we’ve set out a few simple rules. These rules range from Eligibility through to General Terms, just click the drop down arrows to expand and read each rule. Thank you.
Open to UK residents aged 14–18 on or before the entry deadline (8th December).
Entries may be submitted individually or in teams of up to four members.
Each participant may only be part of one entry, so choose someone to be the main point of contact if you are in a team.
All applicants must complete and upload the official application form before 5PM on 8th December. Applications Forms consist of 4 short questions each requiring around 300-400 words each, so will take you 1-2 hours to complete.
Applications must clearly describe a side hustle or business idea — either one already in operation or ready to launch.
Entries must be original work created by the entrant(s). Any form of plagiarism or misrepresentation will result in disqualification.
Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel during the Christmas period.
The top 50 applicants will be selected to receive a tailored support package including pitching guidance, business insights, and mentoring.
Finalists will be announced during the first week of January.
Finalists must prepare a PowerPoint presentation (maximum 10 slides) to present their business idea.
All presentation files must be uploaded at least 48 hours before the final.
Late uploads will result in automatic disqualification.
Presentations should be submitted in .pptx or .pdf format only.
The final will take place on 29th January (venue and details to be confirmed).
Finalists will present their ideas live to a panel of expert judges.
Each presentation will include a 4-minute pitch followed by Q&A.
Content & Ideas – clarity, understanding, and purpose of the business idea
Presentation Design – visual appeal, structure, and readability
Innovation – originality and problem-solving potential
Delivery Skills – confidence, communication, and engagement
The judges will select the winners.
Winners will receive one-to-one professional mentoring from industry specialists.
Additional recognition may be awarded at the judges’ discretion.
By entering, participants consent to Imployable using their names, photos, and presentation materials for promotional purposes.
Judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Imployable reserves the right to amend deadlines, event details, prizes or judging criteria if necessary.
Entries that include offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content will be removed immediately.
Our events are open to young people aged 14–18, and for those who are 14-15yrs provided that parental or guardian consent is obtained before participation. In accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, we collect only the information necessary for event registration, safety, and communication.
Any photos, videos, or personal data relating to participants under 16 will only be used with explicit parental consent and will be handled securely and responsibly. Parents and guardians may withdraw consent or request data deletion at any time by contacting us at info@imployable.me
Get in contact with us to learn more!
If you’re interested in learning more about how your school can benefit from our events, then come chat with us through phone or by email: