Students and graduates win share of more than £20,000 plus prizes in Venture Pitch competition

Hosted by the University’s Venture Programme team, this year’s competition saw ideas for ten pre-launch businesses pitched to a judging panel of industry experts. The pitchers vied for a share of £6,000 in Venture start-up funding, alongside a range of business support prizes designed to help take their ideas to the next stage with guidance, insight and professional services.

New for 2026, a dedicated Accelerator competition was also introduced, where five previous pitchers who have gone on to launch their businesses, competed for three prizes of £5,000 each, plus support prizes. The funding was kindly sponsored by Santander Universities, providing significant investment to accelerate business growth.

Alongside commercial innovation, businesses demonstrated commitments to improving lives and strengthening communities, from supporting mental health and wellbeing in workplaces, to increasing access to sport and community spaces, and creating inclusive fashion for under-represented groups. The aims reflect the University’s wider commitment to developing responsible, purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are equipped to make a meaningful difference locally and beyond.

Each business was assessed for passion, knowledge, innovation, viability, and potential for growth. The recent event at Chester Business School culminated in an evening awards ceremony, where certificates were presented by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eunice Simmons.

The Pre-Launch competition winners were Sam Hill and Thomas McIntosh, founders of Eyepatch Games Ltd. University of Chester Games Development graduates, they are currently working towards the release of their first RPG (Role Playing Game), SunTide. Their success highlights the strength of creative and digital enterprise emerging from the University’s student community.

Sam said: “This support helps us massively to bring SunTide to life and continue our journey of building Eyepatch Games as a way of sharing our passion for games with people all over the world.”

Thomas added: “We want to say a massive thankyou to everyone at Venture for believing in us and supporting us as we grow as a studio.”

The Accelerator competition winners were:

• Helle Hammonds - CentraPath
• Shima Ami and Jaden Bivera - The Community Lettings Management Company
• Alex Novacki - Alexandra Novacki.

Helle, Founder of CentraPath, said: “This funding accelerates the next phase of CentraPath. Over the past two years, I’ve built workplace stress and burnout prevention training and coaching that helps organisations meet their HSE (Health and Safety Executive) legal duty of care, while also equipping managers with practical skills they can apply day-to-day.

“The work has received strong feedback and repeat bookings, but finding the time and resources to bring it to a wider audience has been the real challenge. This award changes that. It enables me to develop additional training materials and invest properly in marketing, so the work can reach many more leaders and organisations.

“I’m proud to be growing CentraPath as a North West business, and hugely grateful to the donors, and to the University of Chester, particularly the Venture Programme and Careers team for making this possible.”

Recognising all the participants, Amber Gaffoor, Venture and Volunteering Co-ordinator at the University, added: “Venture Pitch 2026 really showed the range of businesses our students and graduates are building, highlighting their creativity, ambition, and resilience. Supporting progression is exactly what Venture is all about, and it’s been amazing to see that come through so strongly this year. I am incredibly proud of every student and graduate who had the confidence to pitch and share their journey with us on the day.

“This event also shows how much of a team effort that is. I’m genuinely so grateful for the continued support from colleagues across the University, alongside the growing number of local entrepreneurs and businesses who give their time as judges, prize providers and supporters. It makes such a difference to our students and what they’re able to achieve.”

Full details on prize providers and supporters can be found at:
https://www.chester.ac.uk/student-life/careers-and-employability/venture-supporters-2026/

For more information about the Venture Programme, visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/student-life/careers-and-employability/employability/

Students and graduates interested in developing a business idea, or anyone looking to support the Venture Programme as a judge, mentor or prize provider, can also contact the team at: venture@chester.ac.uk

Further information:

The Venture Pitch celebrated innovation while reinforcing the importance of enterprise as a key pathway for students’ future careers. It is the flagship event of the Venture Programme, offering students the opportunity to present their ideas in a professional setting, gain valuable feedback, and secure funding to progress their ventures.

The introduction of the Accelerator category reflects the programme’s ongoing commitment to supporting students beyond the idea stage and into sustained business development.

The 2026 event was hosted by Amber Gaffoor and Hems de Winter.

The prizes, supporting a wide range of business needs, were:

• West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce memberships
• Trademark advice provided by Forresters
• Hems de Winter consultancy support
• Matt Langford Product Strategy and Development Award
• Marketing consultancy with Joe Beech from Signal & Gain
• Driving Social Media Success coaching package with Becs Bate, Social Media Executive
• Videography package with Jonny Noakes
• Develop Your Voice package with Cat Williams
• Coaching sessions with Rebecca Robinson, The Growth Playground
• Video games consultancy with Jon Holmes from HOLM

 Images (from top): 

• Venture Pitch Pre-Launch competition winners.
• Venture Pitch Accelerator competition winners.
• Venture Pitch Pre-Launch competition participants.