Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Do your students have what it takes to come up with a business idea and put together a plan in the time limit? Form a team to represent your school or college, and put your students’ creativity, business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to the test!
Students compete in teams of up to six.
They must come up with a business plan based on their entrepreneurial idea to address a UN Sustainable Development Goal.
At the final on 18 March 2026, the teams will present their business plan in two forms:
To compete and win one of our prizes, all teams must attend Lancaster University to deliver their presentation on 18 March 2026.
It’s a whole other level of real experience for the students. The emphasis on entrepreneurship makes the whole experience really inclusive, it’s great. It promotes entrepreneurship as sitting alongside all industries, we’ve got engineers with us alongside business students.
Students will receive mentoring support from one of Lancaster University’s Entrepreneurs in Residence. An entrepreneur from our network will meet up with them virtually to discuss their ideas and help them develop.
The winning team in 2025 was Safesteps from Runshaw College. Their proposal was for a national self-defence course for high school students, aiming to reduce safety inequalities across the UK.
Read about the event and other winners in our news story.
Students from across the country battle in LUMS’ entrepreneurship challenge
Team from Runshaw College
If you have any questions about the Next-Gen Entrepreneurs Challenge, contact us by email: lums@lancaster.ac.uk
