Following the success of last year’s Social Value Fund, ARU is proud to launch the Enterprise Impact Fund (EIF) 2026.
The Enterprise Impact Fund is designed to support purpose-driven, socially impactful student and graduate ventures emerging from the #ThinkBigARU Pitching Competition 2026.
After the #ThinkBigARU competition, six to eight student founders or teams who demonstrate entrepreneurial talent, a strong sense of purpose, and the potential to create social impact will be shortlisted to compete for the £5,000 Enterprise Impact Fund investment.
This initiative is generously supported by Curzon Consulting, whose funding is helping ARU back the next generation of student entrepreneurs creating positive change.
The Enterprise Impact Fund offers more than financial backing. It's an opportunity for ARU students and graduates to develop their ventures, strengthen their ideas, and gain support from experienced mentors and judges.
The programme will culminate in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch final in May 2026 at ARU Cambridge, where shortlisted finalists will present their ventures to a judging panel.
The £5,000 investment will be awarded to the individual or team whose venture best demonstrates:
All finalists will continue to receive mentorship and support following the final, helping them further develop their ventures and build on their progress.
Support will be provided through to September 2026, ensuring finalists have ongoing guidance as they take their ideas forward.
The winning individual or team will receive an additional 12 months of targeted mentoring and support after the pitch final, helping them take their venture to the next stage of growth.
The Enterprise Impact Fund reflects ARU’s commitment to encouraging student enterprise that combines innovation with meaningful social impact. By supporting ventures with a clear sense of purpose, the programme aims to help students turn promising ideas into sustainable and impactful businesses.
"Last year, it was a real pleasure working with our partners to support our student and graduate entrepreneurs in developing impactful ventures. Seeing their ideas grow into something meaningful was inspiring.
"At ARU, we are committed to nurturing enterprise that creates both commercial value and social impact. This year, we’ve shortlisted an impressive group of ideas that will pitch for the Enterprise Impact Fund. Alongside funding, finalists will receive dedicated mentoring and support, and I’m excited to see how these ventures develop and the difference they will go on to make."
Prof Gary Packham, Pro Vice Chancellor of Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, ARU"Initiatives like the Enterprise Impact Fund are important not only for those receiving the grant, but for everyone involved. They create a valuable space to share ideas, challenge thinking and gain insight that helps strengthen new ventures. Best of luck to everyone pitching."
Martin Wing, Business Consultant and Advisor