Guernsey Venture Challenge
The Guernsey Venture Challenge provides eight tech startups the opportunity to take part in a 6-week mentorship-driven accelerator programme, concluding with a final pitch night with £30,000 worth of prize money available.
Launched in 2022 and returning for its fourth year in 2025, GVC is a mentor-led tech accelerator programme run by the Digital Greenhouse. The programme aims to support tech entrepreneurship and accelerate businesses.
This year the challenge offers £30,000 of grants to support local startup businesses, comprising of:
£15,000 First Prize
£10,000 Second Prize
£5,000 Third Prize
If you are looking for support with your startup, we have a range of support programmes and services available here:
FAQ
Who can apply?
Any Guernsey residents who have early-stage tech-based businesses in Guernsey can apply for the GVC. We are particularly looking for founders with ambition to accelerate the growth of their business and startups that have the ability to scale.
The information below specifies the application criteria for the GVC:
- Applicants must be resident in Guernsey.
- Applicant’s business must be looking to scale, with growth ambitions for 2025.
- Applicant’s business must have raised no more than £150,000 of funding to date.
- Applications can be using tech to innovate in any sector.
Applications opening soon!
If you are unsure if your business qualifies for this programme or if this is the right level for the current stage of development, please email info@digitalgreenhouse.gg or call 01481 701010 for further advice.
How do I apply?
Applications coming soon - please register your interest.
If you are a potential applicant and would like support developing your idea before applying, you can book a business support meeting, please email info@digitalgreenhouse.gg
Assessment Criteria
The applications will be judged against the following criteria:
- The business addresses a clear problem / pain point
- It provides an innovative or creative solution to the problem
- There is a viable business model
- Shows potential to use technology scale and grow
Prize Categories
There are three prizes available to be awarded to successful applicants in 2024, as detailed below.
First Prize: £15,000 cash prize
Plus:
- 6-month business mentorship
- 6-month hot-desking membership at the Digital Greenhouse Guernsey
Second Prize: £10,000 cash prize
Plus:
- 6-month business mentorship
- 6-month hot-desking membership at the Digital Greenhouse Guernsey
Third Prize: £5,000 cash prize
Plus:
- 6-month business mentorship
- 6-month hot-desking membership at the Digital Greenhouse Guernsey
Additional Resources
Business Support Meetings
Book a business support meeting to help you find the right guidance and support to apply for the Challenge.
Online Guides & Articles
The Business Essentials section of our website has a range of guides and articles to help answer some of the startup questions you might have.
What happen's after I've applied?
Application Deadline:
Applications will close on 14th July 2024. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered. After the applications have closed, the judging panel will assess the applications and draw up a shortlist of successful applicants to continue to on the GVC accelerator and final pitch night.
The Final Pitch
The shortlisted applicants must be available to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges at the final pitch event on 18th September 2025, where judges will decide the winners.
 Dave ZakFound of NionNet OriginFirst Place Winner GVC 2022 |
“The sense of belonging to something innovative and contemporary was profound. It engendered the realisation that we had become a valuable part of the Guernsey Business community and would participate in future innovation in Guernsey and beyond.” |
Meet the winners of the 2024 Guernsey Venture Challenge
here
