BiG Challenge
Sheffield's city-wide enterprise competition
The BiG Challenge is an enterprise competition open to all Y7-Y9 students in Sheffield. Each team has the opportunity to design and grow a business from a £25 start up loan.
Employer engagement is embedded throughout, with teams receiving advice from local businesses and entrepreneurs through videos and mentorship.
The challenge ends with a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style presentation to the judging panel, followed by a celebration and awards event.
Once again, we have partnered with Skills Builder to provide a key employability skills focus alongside impact measuring and individual reflection tools through Skills Builder Benchmark.
Can help to meet Gatsby Benchmarks:
2, 4, 5, 6
When does it take place?
September 2025 - March 2026
Year groups eligible / suitable:
Year 7 - 9 or SEND students working at a Y7 - 9 level.
Is there a cost involved?
No cost to take part, but teams need a £25 start up loan.
How to access this offer?
Contact the BiG Challenge team on bigchallenge@sheffield.gov.uk
Additional offer for PoP schools:
In addition to the standard offer, we will (as asked):
- Do a launch of the challenge to staff to raise awareness
- Do a launch to students in school
- Provide more employer mentors to support teams
- Provide printed resources
- Prioritise places for PoP schools for See It Be It organised selling opportunities