Apply to Ignite

Selection criteria

Please read the following criteria for selection to Ignite before applying for this programme to assess whether it is right for you.

Project criteria

Assessment of applicant business ideas and innovations are based on the following criteria:

• high tech or biotech ideas, research applications or innovations that fit with the programme
• innovation and novelty
• sustainability
• stage of the venture, i.e. not too early stage but not as advanced as a startup for an accelerator

Personal criteria

Applicants to the programme must be:

• Fluent in English
  During the Ignite programme, delegates must be able to discuss their businesses with mentors, experts and fellow participants in English. All delegates pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors at the end of the week. Therefore, it is a prerequisite of attendance that delegates speak English to a high level.
• The owner or originator of the idea
  It is preferred that the owner or originator of the idea or Intellectual Property (IP) for the product, service or innovation attends the programme. Alternatively, it can be a key team member of the business or project.
• Passionate and ambitious
  Please ensure a high level of commitment to taking the business idea forward, to fully immersing in the programme and to entrepreneurship.  

All delegates must be prepared to commit one week of time to this intensive programme. If delegates do not attend all the required sessions, then it impacts the effectiveness on the development of the business idea, the learning outcomes and may impact other participants. In addition, the Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre is unable to award the Ignite Certificate without full attendance.

Application process

• Applicants should prepare and submit an application no later than the closing date at the end of May.
• Shortlisted candidates are contacted by the Ignite programme team for a short online interview (via Zoom or Microsoft Teams).
• Applicants should reply within 7 days to an interview request. Non-respondents may be removed from the application list. Please ensure availability for interview at the agreed time.
• Applications are reviewed and successful applicants are notified by the programme team.
• Following acceptance of an offer to participate in Ignite, successful applicants are invited to complete a delegate form, sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and to process payment.
• All forms must be returned to the programme team and fees must be paid in full (as per the invoice payment terms) 4 weeks before the start of the programme.