Henley Greenshoots Seed Finance Award Scheme
The Henley Greenshoots Seed Finance Award Scheme is an initiative led by Henley Enterprise Lab (HELAB) and supported by Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship (HCfE), with the aim to nurture and support start-ups.
Sponsored by Santander Universities, Greenshoots underscores a global commitment to supporting higher education and fostering innovation through financial and practical support.
In 2026 applicants to Greenshoots are in with the chance of winning £5,000, awarded to start-ups that show the potential to grow and become sustainable businesses.
Greenshoots 2026
Introduction
Sponsored by Santander Universities, the Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship launched the Henley ‘Greenshoots’ Seed Finance Award Scheme (‘Scheme’) in summer 2019. The Scheme is a non-dilutive financial award that recognises start-up companies with potential to grow and become sustainable businesses and which contributes to the cash requirements of businesses. Since 2024 the Scheme has been managed by the Henley Enterprise Lab (HELAB).
Who can take part?
The Scheme is for businesses launched by students and recent graduates of the University of Reading including the Henley Business School and in particular those businesses working from the Entrepreneurship Hub.
The businesses will have been registered at/after 1 August 2023 and meet the other eligibility criteria as more specifically described below.
| Key dates | Date |
|---|---|
| Open for applications | 06 April |
| Applications Close | 18 May |
| Winners notified | 25 May |
| Presentation of Awards with Santander | 17 June |
Selection Process
The selection process will involve a review of the entries by a panel of judges. Entries will comprise of a short form business plan of no more than 2,000 words submitted to the Santander X Platform.
The entries will be reviewed by the selection panel who will have access to the Santander X Platform.
Selection Panel
The selection panel comprises of three judges:
Jurek Sikorski, Director, Henley Enterprise Lab
Norbert Morawetz, Professor, Entrepreneurship and founder of Potential.ly
Maks Belitski, Professor Entrepreneurship
Judging Criteria
The criteria outlined below will be used to review the entries. These criteria will also be given to the judges on the Selection Panel to consider when selecting the businesses for the Award.
| Product/service | The product demonstrates innovation and market disruption |
| Market | There is evidence of a large and growing market for the idea |
| Marketing | It is clear how the idea will be taken to market |
| Competition | The competition is known and competitive advantages demonstrated |
| Sales | The business makes sales with considerable scope to grow |
| Pricing | The pricing of the product provides an economically viable business model |
| Team | Person/team has the capability to grow the business |
| Financials | Financial projections testify to a viable idea |
| Risks | Risks have been identified and actions to deal with these |
| Personal Objectives | Person/team is/are strongly motivated to build a new venture |
Award
Based on the review of the entries by the selection panel three businesses from the entries will be chosen to receive the Award.
The Award to each of the businesses will be £5,000. The money will be spent in meeting operating expenses of the business.
Publicity
The recipients of the Award will be invited by Santander Universities to take part in publicity sessions that might include photo opportunities and interviews.
Terms and conditions
Please make sure you read the T&Cs on eligibility and general conditions of entry.
Any questions please contact:
Jurek Sikorski, Director Henley Enterprise Lab
E: jurek@henley.ac.uk
T: 0118 378 8188
Greenshoots is sponsored and supported by Santander Universities.
