Backing the next generation of purpose-driven entrepreneurs
Curzon & ARU Partnership
Curzon is proud to support Anglia Ruskin University’s Enterprise Impact Fund — investing £5,000 in student and graduate ventures that combine commercial innovation with meaningful social impact.
About the Initiative
The Enterprise Impact Fund (EIF) builds on the success of ARU’s Social Value Fund, supporting student founders who demonstrate entrepreneurial talent, social purpose, and the ambition to create lasting change. Six to eight shortlisted finalists — emerging from the #ThinkBigARU Pitching Competition — will compete for the £5,000 investment at a Dragon’s Den-style final in Cambridge, judged by a panel that includes Curzon’s own Doug Badham and Chetan Trivedi.
Meet the Judges
Doug Badham
With over 20 years of international consulting experience across the Financial Services, and Technology industries, Doug leads the Curzon Consulting Financial Services practice, supporting banking, insurance and wealth management clients.
Doug’s expertise is primarily in business strategy development, sales and distribution optimisation, customer experience, and operating model.
Chetan Trivedi
Chetan has over 20 years’ international consulting experience. For the past 15 years he has supported Healthcare payers, providers and medical devices companies on strategy, operational improvement and digital transformation engagements across the UK, wider Europe, Middle East, US, India and Canada.
What the fund offers
Financial Backing
£5,000 awarded to the venture best positioned to make a real-world difference.
Expert Mentorship
All finalists receive mentoring through to September 2026, with the winner gaining 12 months of targeted support.
Pitch Experience
A Dragon's Den-style final at ARU Cambridge, presenting to an experienced judging panel.
Judging Criteria
01. Strong Market understanding
02. A viable business model
03. A realistic execution plan
04. Clear potential for social impact
Programme Timeline
#ThinkBigARU competition
Student and graduate ventures pitch for a place in the EIF shortlist.
Shortlist announced
Six to eight finalists selected on entrepreneurial talent, purpose, and social impact potential.
Dragon’s Den final — May 2026
Finalists present to Doug Badham, Chetan Trivedi, and fellow judges at ARU Cambridge. The £5,000 investment is awarded.
Ongoing support to September 2026
All finalists receive continued mentoring. Winner gains 12 months of dedicated post-final support.
Voices from the Programme
Curzon Consulting exists to help businesses solve complex problems in bold, innovative ways that result in enduring commercial, customer, and social value. That’s why we’re thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Enterprise Impact Fund at ARU. We look forward to engaging with each finalist’s business ideas and being inspired by the impacts and benefits they aim to realise, and to providing some impetus to these ventures’ future success.
Doug Badham, Partner: Financial Services, Curzon Consulting
At ARU, we are committed to nurturing enterprise that creates both commercial value and social impact. This year, we’ve shortlisted an impressive group of ideas — and I’m excited to see the difference they will go on to make.”
Prof Gary Packham, Pro Vice Chancellor of Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, ARU
“Initiatives like the Enterprise Impact Fund create a valuable space to share ideas, challenge thinking and gain insight that helps strengthen new ventures.”
Martin Wing, Chief Operating Officer, X-Forces Enterprise
