IDEAFEST 2026 Business Idea Competition Winners Announced

IDEAFEST 2026 Business Idea Competition Winners Announced

The Henley Enterprise Lab (HELAB) at Henley Business School, University of Reading, has announced the winners of the IDEAFEST 2026 Business Idea Competition, its flagship annual initiative celebrating entrepreneurial innovation and commercial potential.
IDEAFEST is designed to identify and support the most promising business ideas capable of real-world commercialisation. IDEAFEST featured three award categories: Best Overall Business Idea, Best Sales Value Proposition, and Best Idea for Commercialisation in China.

The winners of each category received cash prizes, with additional cash awards presented to the runners-up in the Best Overall Business Idea category. The competition which attracted record number of entries (32) culminated in a live final in front of an audience, where five shortlisted finalists pitched their business ideas to an expert judging panel that comprised Henley Business School faculty member, successful entrepreneurs, competition sponsors, and the Director of the Henley Enterprise Lab. 

• Andrew Gaule, CEO of Aimava and Visiting Fellow of Henley Business School
• Dr Norbert Morawetz, Professor in Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation at Henley Business School and co-founder of Potential.ly
• Charity Nichols, Co-Founder of Green Pioneer 
• Victoria Coe, Founder of KinKind
• Niloofar Borghei Razavi, HCfE start-up visa endorsement recipient and founder of Nilbon
• Mark Shraga, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, SCG and Sponsor
• Jurek Sikorski, Director Henley Enterprise Lab (Moderator)

Judges assessed each pitch on innovation, commercial viability, market opportunity and execution potential.

The business ideas selected for the final:

• Agricultural Intelligence, a UK-based agritech consultancy developing artificial intelligence solutions to transform agricultural research and on-farm decision-making.
• DUNA, a climate‑smart technology enabled luxury sleepwear brand designed for women.
• KIGO, a smart school-run transport system comprising a digital platform that connects parents, schools and trusted drivers to create safe, low-cost shared journeys.
• Presentable, an AI presentation digital coach that puts you in front of a live virtual classroom.
• V-VET, an AI-powered livestock health platform designed for smallholder farmers, especially in Africa.

Winning business ideas and prize monies:

• Best Overall Idea: DUNA (£1,000)
• Second Place: Agricultural Intelligence (£750)
• Third Place: Presentable (£500)
• Best Sales Value Proposition: Presentable (£750)
• Best Idea for China: V-VET (£2,000)

The winner of the Best Overall Business Idea was Paula Garzon with DUNA. A very pleased Paula said: 

"IDEAFEST was an incredibly rewarding and motivating experience that helped me grow and strengthen my entrepreneurial mindset. It has given me the confidence and drive to keep developing my idea, and I’m excited to take the next steps with the support of Henley Business School.” 

 Paula presenting her business idea DUNA and receiving her certificate from Mark Shraga

In second place was Ethan Francis. An elated Ethan remarked: 

“Taking part in IDEAFEST has been a great privilege. Coming into the event, Jack and I held minimal business experience, but the opportunity taught us so much and making the finals has opened so many doors for the business idea. It was greatly inspiring to see the passion of our peers and the range different ideas tackling global challenges!”

Ethan Francis presenting his business idea Agricultural Intelligence

Wining the Best Sales Value Proposition was Myown Komagum who spoke enthusiastically about IDEAFEST said: 

“There's something special about watching people interact with something you built from scratch. IDEAFEST gave me that — brilliant people, honest feedback, and conversations that helped me spot gaps I hadn't even considered. Placing third was great, but walking away with Best Sales Value Proposition told me the idea actually lands. Turns out practicing your pitch on an AI presentation tool helps — and if you're wondering which one, it's called Presentable. Maybe it actually works.”

 Myown Komagum receiving his certificate from Mark Shraga

Winning the Best Idea for China with V-VET was a very happy Godfrey Dekera who said of IDEAFEST:

“Being part of IDEAFEST was an invaluable and thrilling experience. I learned a lot throughout the journey from the application process to the final pitch. The prize money and the incredible support I have received through this competition will allow me to take V-VET from a minimum viable product to a real, market-ready solution.”

                                                                                                                Godfrey receiving his certificate from Jurek Sikorski

Moria Bennett, Founder of KIGO remarked: “IDEAFEST reminded me that entrepreneurship is not only about the final pitch, but about the journey of learning, testing, listening and improving at every opportunity”.

                                            L-R: Jack Rich and Ethan Francis (Agricultural Intelligence), Paula Garzon (DUNA), Myown Komagum (Presentable), Godfrey Dekera (V-VET) with their certificates  

Mark Shraga, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at SCG, and IDEAFEST judge, commented:

"As always, it is a pleasure seeing the entrepreneurial spirit very much alive and well at Henley Business School, which is very much a credit to the leadership team and their students. The quality was strong this year, giving the judges an easier job to do! AI featured across the board, with encouraging signs that the way it meets human concerns is being well thought through. I look forward to learning about the onward success of the winners and to IDEAFEST 2027! "

Andrew Gaule, who represented Savio Kwan (Sponsor) added: 

“I was pleased and inspired to be a judge again at the Henley Business School, University of Reading IDEASFEST. The finalist pitches were practical, grounded in real customer needs, and showed strong potential. I was honoured to award the Savio Kwan China Prize to Godfrey Dekera of V-Vet. He demonstrated a clear understanding of the market and users, applying leading technology in a simple and effective way.” 

With thanks to Southern Communications Group and Savio Kwan, former President of Alibaba, sponsors of IDEAFEST.

Commenting on the competition, Jurek Sikorski, Director of HELAB highlighted IDEAFEST’s role in nurturing entrepreneurial ambition and translating ideas into impactful ventures. The competition continues to play a central role in HELAB’s mission to stimulate enterprise, innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Reading.