Could Your Big Idea Win £1,000 This November?

If you've got a business idea sitting in the back of your mind but haven't quite found the push to act on it, this could be the moment that changes everything. A major enterprise competition has been relaunched specifically for young people across Hull, the East Riding and Scarborough, and we want to make sure every budding entrepreneur in our area knows about it.

We're proud to be part of the joined-up effort to bring this opportunity to life locally, and if you're between the ages of 18 and 29 (or you know a young person in school or college with a spark of an idea), read on.

The Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge Is Back

Ruth Badger, runner-up on the second series of BBC's The Apprentice, has relaunched the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge in partnership with Hull City Council, the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, and the Microbusiness Alliance. The competition is also supported by Engaging Education, Design over Technology, T Arran Photography and the Microbusiness Alliance.

Ruth is no stranger to Yorkshire and the Humber, and she's been refreshingly direct about why she's brought the competition back to this region specifically. In her words: "Out of all the areas in the UK that I have worked with, I believe yours is the best at engaging real entrepreneurs and successful businesses in partnering up with future young entrepreneurs." That's a statement worth sitting with for a moment. This area has something genuinely special when it comes to enterprise culture, and this competition is designed to build on exactly that.

Who Can Enter?

The competition is open to a wide range of young people, so don't assume it isn't for you before you've read the full details.

Primary school pupils can enter with a project or idea, with prizes of up to £500 available.

Young people aged 11 to 18 can compete for up to £750.

Aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 29 can pitch for up to £1,000.

Entries can cover a new business idea, a co-operative or community project, or an enterprising school or college project. The breadth here is intentional. You don't need a polished business plan or a fully formed concept. You need an idea and the willingness to put it forward.

The winners of each category will then go head-to-head during Global Entrepreneurship Week (16th to 20th November 2026), with the chance to double their prize money. That's a real financial stake, not just a certificate.

Why This Matters for Scarborough's Young Entrepreneurs

Liz Barclay, Patron of the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, summed it up well: "The micro-businesses that young people set up are certainly part of our economic future." That's something we genuinely believe in too.

Too many good ideas never get tested because the person behind them doesn't have the confidence, the contacts, or the financial backing to take the first step. Competitions like this one exist precisely to remove those barriers. The entry process itself is a valuable exercise. Putting your idea on paper, thinking through what it would offer and who it would serve, those are the same foundations that underpin every successful business we've ever supported.

At Yorkshire in Business, our work is built around helping people move from "I've got an idea" to "I've got a plan." We work with start-ups and established businesses alike, and we know that the biggest obstacle for most young entrepreneurs isn't the idea itself. It's the first step.

We're Here to Support Your Application

Our CEO, Jenn Crowther, is personally invested in this competition and what it means for young people in Scarborough. Here's what she had to say:

"We are proud of our joined-up working with Hull Youth Enterprise to support young people to start businesses, and to get involved in this competition could be just what a young person needs to give an idea a try. Come and have a chat with me and we will support your application."

That offer is genuine. If you're thinking about entering but aren't sure where to begin, come and talk to us. We can help you clarify your idea, understand your potential market, and put together a submission that reflects what you're actually capable of.

How to Enter Before the Deadline

The deadline for entries is 10th September 2026. That gives you a solid window to get your idea together, but don't leave it until the last week. The best entries are ones that have had time to breathe.

To request an entry form, email jenn@yib.org.uk and we'll get you started from there.

Whether you're 12 years old with an idea for a community project, or 25 with a business concept you've been sitting on for two years, this is your chance to do something with it. Prize money, mentoring support, and the credibility of being recognised during Global Entrepreneurship Week are all on the table.

Head over to yorkshireinbusiness.org.uk to find out more about how we support young and early-stage businesses in the Scarborough area, and get in touch so we can help you put your best foot forward with your entry.