Ambitious students gather at Wembley for annual UCFB Entrepreneurship Award

“This opportunity from UCFB is so great to improve your knowledge on pitching business ideas and to also increase your confidence in pitching.”

“Because of this, I can promote my business and speak in front of a panel.”

“It’s honestly amazing to be here in front of the panel, to be presented with this opportunity. I’m just a kid from Syria and now I have a real chance of developing a business.”

These are just some of the words from the innovative UCFB students who recently came to Wembley for the annual UCFB Sports Entrepreneur Award.

Students from UCFB Manchester and UCFB Wembley showed off their business ideas in front of a UCFB judging panel, hoping to receive funding for their propositions.

With business ideas ranging from sports coaching and media to marketing and fitness, there were many projects put forward to the judging panel.

Five financial awards were handed out, ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 for the students to develop their business ideas.

The five winners and their business ideas for the 2025 UCFB Entrepreneurship Award were:

• Ben Blake – BM Productions
• James Rose – Rose Sports Research
• Finn Morley – More Media
• Koye Sofoluwe – The Silverlining Initiative
• Libby McElhinney – Comfort Fitness

The overall winner was Ben Blake, along with his business partner Liam, whose business idea, BM Productions, focuses on stories from sports with less media coverage than football, such as cycling and horse racing.

Ben said after his victory: “I’m really happy and appreciate the support from the panel.”

UCFB founder and chair, Brendan Flood, then spoke about his experience of sitting on the judging panel.

“It’s been fascinating for us as the panel members,” he said, “listening to what’s current, what’s trending, and where the students think they need to consider for employment and opportunities to go forward.”

The Entrepreneur Award scheme has been held annually for many years now. Find out more about the experiences and opportunities UCFB students receive during their years studying.

View a UCFB prospectus for yourself and kick off your own dream career within sports.