In June, I had one of the most exciting experiences of my student life at the University of Westminster because I became a finalist in the Westminster Big Idea Competition, chosen out of 229 applications to be one of the 35 finalists across three categories: Accelerate, Ideate, and Freelance. I competed in the Ideate category, which supports students who are still developing their ideas into viable businesses. Looking back, the competition was much more than just a series of stages. It was a journey of growth, learning, and pushing myself far outside my comfort zone.
Step One: The Elevator Pitch
The very first step was creating a one-minute elevator pitch video to introduce myself and my business idea. My idea was inspired by Aynekari, a traditional Persian mirror art that became a personal source of healing for me during difficult times back in Iran. I wanted to preserve this cultural heritage and share it with others through modern products like jewellery and home décor.
Recording that short pitch in English felt intimidating, but it also pushed me to focus on what mattered most: telling my story with clarity and passion.
The Bootcamp Experience
Being accepted to the next stage meant attending a two-day boot camp, and this was the start of the learning process for me.
On day one, we started with inspiring talks on the entrepreneurial journey, where successful entrepreneurs shared their own stories, their struggles, lessons, and achievements.
Then, in my Ideate category, the focus shifted to developing our ideas further. We learned how to: write a business plan, define the problem and propose a solution, calculate market size, build a customer persona, research competitors, and design a revenue model.
The day ended with a networking session and even the chance to take professional LinkedIn photos, which was a thoughtful touch from the organisers.
The second day focused on storytelling for impact and a pitching workshop. I especially valued the session with last year’s winners, who shared their own journeys and gave us practical advice on how to make the most of the competition.
Next step
After the boot camp, it was time to put everything we had learned into action. We had to prepare presentation slides and submit them to the panel. To my excitement, I was selected as one of the finalists!
That meant I had to get ready to deliver a three-minute pitch in front of the judges, followed by seven minutes of Q&A.
One of the best supports we had was from WeNetwork, who gave us the opportunity to practice our pitch in front of them twice the day before the final. Their feedback was so helpful and made me feel calmer and more confident for the big day.
The Final Pitch
On the final day, all 35 finalists across the three categories came together to pitch our ideas. The atmosphere was electric, it felt like a real celebration of student and graduate entrepreneurial talent at Westminster.
When my turn came, my heart was racing, but I remembered all the preparation and the story behind my idea. Those three minutes went by quickly, and even though it was nerve-wracking, I felt incredibly proud of myself for standing there and sharing my vision with the judges.
What Makes the Big Idea Competition Special
The Westminster Big Idea Competition was more than just a contest; it was a platform to encourage and support students to develop entrepreneurial skills and turn their ideas into reality. The competition offers not just prizes from a £50,000+ prize fund but also mentoring and opportunities to grow.
For me, the biggest reward wasn’t the prize, it was the journey itself. I learned how to communicate my ideas clearly, how to structure a business model, and most importantly, how to step out of my comfort zone as an introverted person.
Being a finalist in the Westminster Big Idea Competition is something I’ll always carry with me. From a one-minute video pitch to an intensive boot camp and finally presenting my idea to judges, I grew at every stage.
If you’re a Westminster student or graduate and thinking of applying, my advice is simple: don’t hold back. You don’t need to have a perfect business plan at the start; the competition will help you build it step by step. And along the way, you’ll gain skills, confidence, and connections that will last much longer than the competition itself.
Enjoy that step out of your comfort zone, like I did!
Yasi
Instagram: @vatan.mirrorart
For more insights from international students studying at the University of Westminster and living in the heart of London, please visit International Student Blog
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