Heriot-Watt’s Global Innovation Challenge Opens Applications for Students Worldwide

Heriot-Watt University UK Expands Innovation Training with 2025 GIC Rollout

Heriot-Watt University, a leading global university headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, stands as one of the UK’s most internationally connected institutions. Established in 1821 as the world’s first mechanics’ institute, Heriot-Watt University UK has cultivated a reputation for delivering practical, industry-aligned education in science, engineering, and business. Today, it operates a network of Heriot-Watt campuses across Dubai, Malaysia, Orkney, and the Scottish Borders, reinforcing its identity as a truly global uni.

As a prominent UK university, Heriot-Watt is recognised for its strong industry partnerships and outward-looking research culture. In the UK’s REF 2021, 86.8% of its research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent, underscoring its impact across academia and enterprise. With a student population exceeding 31,000, the university fosters innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and inclusive education across borders. In alignment with its global mission, Heriot-Watt University Scotland has launched the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge (GIC), a flagship initiative designed to empower students, researchers, and recent graduates across its international network. Delivered by the university’s GRID (Global Research, Innovation and Discovery) team, the GIC is a cornerstone of Heriot-Watt’s innovation ecosystem, offering a dynamic platform for developing entrepreneurial skills and advancing ideas and innovation.

Far more than a competition, the GIC serves as a launchpad for entrepreneurial development. Over 10 weeks, participants will engage in expert-led workshops focused on idea generation, customer discovery, funding strategies, and pitching. These sessions are described as practical, supportive, and inspiring, with access available from Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Heriot-Watt Uni Edinburgh, Malaysia, Orkney, the Scottish Borders, and via Heriot-Watt Online.

Weekly workshops will be held every Wednesday across multiple time zones, enabling global participation and fostering meaningful connections across the Edinburgh University Heriot-Watt community. The challenge’s delivery model reflects Heriot-Watt’s operational agility and commitment to equitable access, with tailored support available for both early-stage ideas and fully formed business concepts. The programme draws on experiential pedagogies such as design-led thinking and lean startup methodologies, allowing participants to iterate and refine their ventures in real time. Past facilitators have included leaders from Barclays, Converge, and Censis, offering direct exposure to sectoral insights and professional networks.

In addition to skill-building, participants may secure up to £5,000 in funding, supported by institutional resources including the Santander and Robert M. Buchan Early Stage Business Fund. Successful teams may also benefit from continued support through Heriot-Watt’s enterprise pathways, including GRID’s incubation services and external venture networks. This holistic approach ensures that promising ideas are not only launched but sustained beyond the challenge.

The university reported that the 2024 edition attracted over 500 participants across all HW University campuses, making it one of its largest entrepreneurship events to date. This momentum reflects a growing appetite for innovation-led education and the university’s expanding global footprint. Applications for the 2025 challenge are now open. Prospective participants are encouraged to apply online via the university’s portal, with the submission deadline set for 19 September 2025. Workshops will commence on 24 September 2025, culminating in final pitch presentations and funding outcomes in late November.

The challenge is open to all Heriot-Watt students, staff, and alumni (within three years of graduation), regardless of discipline or background. Accessibility features have been integrated to support remote and differently-abled participants, ensuring inclusive engagement across the board. Whether you're refining a venture or just beginning to explore entrepreneurship, the Global Innovation Challenge offers the tools, networks, and momentum to help you take the next bold step. Apply now and join a community shaping the future of idea innovation.

Editor’s Note

Heriot-Watt University’s 2025 Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) stands as a powerful expression of the institution’s long-term commitment to nurturing global entrepreneurship and innovation. Rooted in its internationalisation strategy and interdisciplinary ethos, the challenge reflects the university’s determination to equip its diverse community with the skills, networks, and confidence required to thrive in an innovation-driven world. Delivered by the GRID (Global Research, Innovation and Discovery) team, the initiative sits at the heart of Heriot-Watt’s research and enterprise agenda, extending its reach across campuses in Edinburgh, Dubai, Malaysia, Orkney, the Scottish Borders, and through Heriot-Watt Online. Its scale and inclusivity reaffirm the university’s global footprint and its role as a leader in applied research and entrepreneurial education.

Educationally, the challenge embodies an experiential and skills-based approach. By blending workshops, mentorship, and funding opportunities, it fosters innovation literacy, employability, and real-world impact. Participants not only learn entrepreneurial practices but also build confidence in navigating complexity, collaboration, and cross-cultural problem-solving, capabilities highly valued in today’s competitive global economy. The accessibility of the GIC reinforces Heriot-Watt’s commitment to equitable learning. Designed to welcome early-stage ideas as well as advanced concepts, it ensures opportunities are open across disciplines, geographies, and ability levels. This inclusivity reflects the university’s belief that innovation flourishes when diverse voices and perspectives are brought together.

The challenge also speaks to wider sectoral priorities. It aligns with global movements embedding entrepreneurship within higher education, responds to the call for sustainability and innovation-led growth, and complements national and international frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UKRI’s focus on impact-driven research. Heriot-Watt is now accepting applications for its flagship entrepreneurial program, open to students, staff, and alumni. The university encourages all interested individuals to seize this transformative opportunity. Simultaneously, academics, industry partners, and alumni are invited to contribute their expertise as mentors and collaborators, nurturing the next generation of innovators who will make significant societal and economic contributions. 

Skoobuzz asserted that the initiative not only advances Heriot-Watt’s global innovation agenda but also reinforces its role in shaping an inclusive, impact-driven future for higher education.