Flare is open to all full and part-time Herts students, along with those alumni who’ve graduated within the last four years.
Previous experience in running a business or working as a freelancer isn’t required; all you need is an innovative idea – whether it's a product or a service – or have an existing business which was launched in the last four years. We’re here to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators so will provide support to develop your idea—it's up to you to decide if you want to take it further.
You can enter Flare as an individual, or a team of two people which can include 50% students and / or alumni, along with non-University of Hertfordshire members.
Flare is split into two rounds, spread over four months. At each stage, there is a bespoke programme of support through group workshops, webinars and one-to-one advice sessions.
Round 1: Entry
Submit your round 1 entry via Handshake, ensuring you provide your student or alumni number.
If you have a disability and require any adjustments to meet your needs, please email enterprise@herts.ac.uk. One of the team will get back to you to confidentially discuss how best we can help. Where possible please give at least 3 days’ notice of your requirements.
Shortlisting
All entries will be reviewed and screened by a panel of judges. Finalists will be selected from this round and invited to present their ideas at the final pitch event.
Results will be announced by email. Successful entrants must confirm they’d like to continue into the final round before advancing.
Round 2 – Finalist pitches and award presentations
Finalists will attend a pitch practice event, where you'll learn how to craft the perfect pitch and test your skills in front of other finalists, with support from the enterprise team. Once your pitch is polished, you’ll go on to the final event of the competition, Pitch Day, where you'll have a chance to shine in front of the judging panel.
Our diverse panel of judges bring extensive knowledge and experience in business and entrepreneurship to the competition. They know great ideas when they see them and are looking to score you on the selection criteria but also the quality of your pitch, your answers during a rousing question-and-answer session, and the way you present yourself as an aspiring entrepreneur.
Award winners will be announced and celebrated on the same day.
Award categories
The Ideas Route
This category recognises ideas that are at a very early stage of development, but have strong commercial potential.
We’re looking for business ideas that can demonstrate:
the potential to sell an innovative service or product to customers
a clear understanding of the service or product they will sell
a good grasp of their target market.
To enter into this category, you must:
be a registered UH student or have graduated no later than 2022
have an idea for a product or service in any sector.
Completion of product development or company formation are not a requirement for this route.
The Existing Business Route
This category recognises registered freelancers, self-employed and limited companies, operated by an individual or team of two. We welcome those in the pre-sale phase.
We're looking for businesses that can demonstrate:
a clear understanding of the a value customer will receive
a good grasp of their target market
it can deliver products or services to a customer base
the ability to generate its own clients/customers
how it will make money from delivering a service to clients/customers.
To enter into this category, you must:
be a registered UH student or graduate graduated no later than 2022
have an entry idea for a product or service in any sector
have an existing business
company formation is a requirement to enter this route (this will be evidenced by the provision of a Company Registration Number or UTRN).
The top five scoring entrants from each of the above pathways will be selected for a place in the final pitch round.
‘Engineers in Business’ Fellowship Award
Supported by the Engineers in Business Fellowship, this award is available to entrants whose team members are studying engineering, science or biomedical degrees. Ideas must have an engineering, science or biomedical focus to qualify for this prize.
Eligible entrants can apply for this category, in addition to the Existing Business or Ideas Route.
Selection criteria
During the final round of the competition, your pitches will be considered and scored against the selection criteria outlined on our resources pages. Please head over to the Career Centre pages to access this information.
How we help you grow your ‘Big Idea’
The concept of running your own business may seem daunting, especially if you are doing so for the first time. Here at Herts, we support all budding student and recent alumni entrepreneurs, whether you’re ready to enter Flare or not.
From workshops to one-to-one advice sessions, we have a wealth of resources on offer to help you develop your business idea, whether you're working through the early stages of an idea or you're already up and running.
Visit our Handshakepages to book into one of our sessions.
