ABVentures

ABVentures entrepreneurship support. We help students & recent graduates with entrepreneurial learning, enterprise skills and setting up businesses.

ABVentures is the University of Aberdeen’s dedicated service for students, alumni and staff who are enterprising, entrepreneurial and innovative, or who are simply inquisitive and want to think about starting their own business or social enterprise. Start your journey with us! We are your first point of contact to help you develop your ideas, signpost to funding, support you through start-up competitions and ensure you are in contact with the right people and organisations.

🚀 What an incredible ride it’s been!Over the past four Wednesdays (18 & 25 February, 4 & 11 March), ABVentures had the a...
01/04/2026

🚀 What an incredible ride it’s been!

Over the past four Wednesdays (18 & 25 February, 4 & 11 March), ABVentures had the absolute pleasure of organising and hosting the University of Aberdeen's Lightbulb Ideas Competition 2026 and we are still blown away by the energy, creativity, and ambition from our students and recent graduates.

💡 From idea generation to final pitches, over 100 students took part, with 40 teams stepping up to pitch solutions tackling real world challenges across sustainability, health, technology, and community impact.

For many, this was their first time ever pitching an idea and they rose brilliantly to the challenge.

🏆 Huge congratulations to our 2026 winners:

• DermaSetuAI
• CoFound
• ZoneGuard AI
• FreightScanner
• Malle

👏 Big recognition to every participant.
It takes courage to step outside your comfort zone, share your ideas, and try something new.

And that’s what Lightbulb is all about:
✨ Building confidence
✨ Developing real world skills
✨ Inspiring entrepreneurial thinking

A heartfelt thank you to the , whose support—for the second year—funded our top four cash prizes (£1,600, £800, £400 and £200) and significantly enhanced student engagement.

We also extend our gratitude to our judges whose insights and encouragement were essential to the competition’s success.

At the University of Aberdeen, we remain deeply committed to nurturing student enterprise by inspiring and empowering our students and recent graduates to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovation.

📢 Quick UpdateThere will be no Start Here Breakfast this Wednesday.We’ll be back soon with more opportunities to connect...
23/03/2026

📢 Quick Update

There will be no Start Here Breakfast this Wednesday.

We’ll be back soon with more opportunities to connect, share ideas, and get support ☕

Stay tuned!

Calling all University of Aberdeen students and recent graduates!!Entries for the University of Aberdeen Take Off Accele...
18/03/2026

Calling all University of Aberdeen students and recent graduates!!

Entries for the University of Aberdeen Take Off Accelerator are now open.

This supportive 8-week accelerator starting May 19th is designed for participants who are ready to refine their business idea and take more strategic next steps towards launching.

- Open to students/recent graduates (within last two years) at any stage of their business or side hustle

- £1,000 stipend for attending (10am to 3pm in person on Tuesdays + half day online on Wednesdays)

- Up to £5,000 in prize funding

- Hands on training, expert mentoring and support.

Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eJfx6Ujc

Deadline: 26th April 2026

Please note that this support is totally free. The University of Aberdeen does not ask for equity from your business for this training.

We want to ensure this opportunity reaches those who will benefit most. If you are working on a project or know someone who could use this support, please share and apply as soon as possible.

Could your research lead the way? 2026 is now open and accepting applications!Dr Soumya Palliyil is just one of many ac...
17/02/2026

Could your research lead the way? 2026 is now open and accepting applications!

Dr Soumya Palliyil is just one of many academic pioneers turning breakthrough science into real-world impact with the help of Converge.

If you think your research could turn the dial, then applications for Converge 2026 are now open.

Whether you’re a researcher, creator or inventor, Converge Challenge is now searching for Scotland’s brightest university innovators to join their prestigious 2026 cohort.

Providing a safe space to test and validate your business idea, the Converge programme combines expert-led business training with a competitive element – giving you the clarity, confidence and connections to take your innovation out of the lab and into the marketplace.

Other key benefits of taking part:

· Active feedback as you develop your business proposition

· Peer-to-peer networks connecting you to a community of visionary founders

· Generous equity-free funding for the best projects

· Project visibility through their national programme

If your curious about entrepreneurship and ready to test your breakthrough business idea, then don’t miss the chance to apply.

For more information visit: convergechallenge.com

15/02/2026

🔥😍 LIGHTBULB IDEAS COMPETITION 2026 😍🔥

Starting off 2026 with even more opportunities for all students and recent grads to try something new! 🚀

Still open for applications: Lightbulb Ideas Competition 2026

✅ Put your knowledge into practice and design something that solves a problem
✅ Boost your CV, develop key employability skills.

🏴 Open to all UoA students and recent graduates driven to solve real-world problems, such as social issues, technological gaps, or market needs you’ve personally experienced.

💰 FREE to take part!
🔥 You could win £1,000! Up to £3,600 prize pot!
It’s a win-win-win! 🙂

Hurry, limited spaces available.

Apply now to reserve your spot (link in bio) ➡️ https://forms.office.com/e/h6QbKr1snK

15/02/2026

🎯 £5,000 Funding Opportunity for Student/Graduate Entrepreneurs

Got an idea that could make a difference?

The University of Aberdeen is offering £5,000 in free, equity-free funding to help current students and recent graduates (within the last two years) bring their business ideas or problem-solving projects to life.

💰 No pitch deck required.

💡 No business plan needed.

Just tell us what you’re working on and what stage you’re at — that’s it!

Who Can Apply:

Current University of Aberdeen students

Recent graduates (within the last two years) working on a business idea

The funding needs to be allocated soon, so don’t wait.

⏰ Deadline: February 15, 2026

If you’re developing a product, building a business, or working on a creative or social impact idea, this is your chance to get the support you need.

👉 Apply now: https://forms.office.com/e/6s4XfB3Jux

Know someone who should see this? Tag them or share this post so they don’t miss out.

☕✨ Start Here Breakfast is back!Join us for the next Start Here Breakfast📍 Interdisciplinary Lounge, Crombie Hall📅 Wedne...
13/02/2026

☕✨ Start Here Breakfast is back!

Join us for the next Start Here Breakfast

📍 Interdisciplinary Lounge, Crombie Hall
📅 Wednesday, 25 February
⏰ 8:30 – 10:30 AM

Come along, grab some breakfast, and start your day with great conversations and fresh ideas.

05/02/2026

💡 Lightbulb Ideas Competition 2026 — Applications Now Open!

Got an idea you’ve always wanted to explore?
Lightbulb Ideas is the University of Aberdeen’s annual entrepreneurship competition designed to help you turn ideas into action.

Over three consecutive Wednesdays on campus, you’ll:
✨ Develop innovative ideas that tackle real-world problems
✨ Explore turning your idea into a business or social enterprise
✨ Build confidence in storytelling, pitching, and problem-solving
✨ Pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to win funding

🏆 £3,600 prize pot available
📜 Certificate of Achievement for all participants who pitch
🍕 Free pizza & drinks included

👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 Open to all UoA students and recent graduates (last 2 years)
No business experience needed — just curiosity, creativity, and motivation.

📅 Applications open: 15 January – 15 February 2026
🔗 Apply now: forms.office.com/e/h6QbKr1snK

Whether you’re just exploring an idea or ready to take the next step, Lightbulb is the perfect place to start.
✨ Be the Spark.

Build a startup idea in one day!!£3,000 in cash prizes to be won!!Startup Factory - North East is a one-day innovation c...
04/02/2026

Build a startup idea in one day!!

£3,000 in cash prizes to be won!!

Startup Factory - North East is a one-day innovation challenge bringing together students from University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University and North East Scotland College to develop new startup ideas focused on sustainability.

📅 Saturday 21st February 2026

⏰ 09:00 – 18:30

📌 ONE Tech Hub, Schoolhill, Aberdeen City Centre

Free to attend. Lunch and dinner included. No startup idea or experience needed.

Register here: https://www.foundersvault.co.uk/services/founders/startup-factory-north-east

02/02/2026

💡 Lightbulb Ideas Competition 2026 — Applications Now Open!

Got an idea you’ve always wanted to explore?
Lightbulb Ideas is the University of Aberdeen’s annual entrepreneurship competition designed to help you turn ideas into action.

Over three consecutive Wednesdays on campus, you’ll:
✨ Develop innovative ideas that tackle real-world problems
✨ Explore turning your idea into a business or social enterprise
✨ Build confidence in storytelling, pitching, and problem-solving
✨ Pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to win funding

🏆 £3,600 prize pot available
📜 Certificate of Achievement for all participants who pitch
🍕 Free pizza & drinks included

👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 Open to all UoA students and recent graduates (last 2 years)
No business experience needed — just curiosity, creativity, and motivation.

📅 Applications open: 15 January – 15 February 2026
🔗 Apply now: forms.office.com/e/h6QbKr1snK

Whether you’re just exploring an idea or ready to take the next step, Lightbulb is the perfect place to start.
✨ Be the Spark.

UoA

29/01/2026

Did you spot us today at the Students’ Union? 👀

If you missed us, don’t worry!

💡 Lightbulb Ideas Competition 2026 — Applications Now Open!

Got an idea you’ve always wanted to explore?
Lightbulb Ideas is the University of Aberdeen’s annual entrepreneurship competition designed to help you turn ideas into action.

Over three consecutive Wednesdays on campus, you’ll:
✨ Develop innovative ideas that tackle real-world problems
✨ Explore turning your idea into a business or social enterprise
✨ Build confidence in storytelling, pitching, and problem-solving
✨ Pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to win funding

🏆 £3,600 prize pot available
📜 Certificate of Achievement for all participants who pitch
🍕 Free pizza & drinks included

👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 Open to all UoA students and recent graduates (last 2 years)
No business experience needed — just curiosity, creativity, and motivation.

📅 Applications open: 15 January – 15 February 2026
🔗 Apply now: https://forms.office.com/e/h6QbKr1snK

Whether you’re just exploring an idea or ready to take the next step, Lightbulb is the perfect place to start.
✨ Be the Spark.

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King Street
Aberdeen

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