Day 1 of Digital Universities UK 2024 will finish with the final of our Start-up Competition. The aim is to find the best pre-seed funding edtech start-ups in the digital learning space looking to bring new ideas to, and address major challenges for, the higher education community.

Entries will be judged by THE, the University of Exeter and our expert panel of edtech investors, and the 10 shortlisted start-ups will have the opportunity to join us at Digital Universities UK, where in addition, five finalists will be invited on stage in a special session on 16 April to pitch their product or innovation to our panel.

The winner will be interviewed by a THE journalist and have their story shared with our global digital audience, plus an invitation to join us as a speaker in 2025.

Entry deadline: Monday 18 March, 17:00 GMT - ENTRIES HAVE NOW CLOSED

10 shortlisted will be contacted: Monday 25 March

5 finalists will be announced: Tuesday 2 April

Innovation: It must be a new idea or should significantly improve an existing solution in the edtech space

People: The added value and experience of the team behind the product

Scalability: What is the potential for the product to be replicated nationally, internationally and across sectors?

Impact: How impactful is this product for the edtech sector?

For each of the 10 shortlisted:

• x1 exhibition stand
• x2 free tickets to attend Digital Universities UK
• Branding across the event digital channels

In addition for each of the five finalists:

• x1 3-minute programmed pitch to panel in our Start-up Competition final on 16 April

In addition for the winner:

• Post-event write-up in the THE magazine
• Invitation to speak at Digital Universities UK 2025

To be eligible entrants must meet all criteria below:

• Pre-seed and seed stage edtech start-ups in the online education space
• Companies in operation for less than three years
• Companies that have a product or innovation in the edtech space