The Parmee Prize is an annual entrepreneurship competition for Pembroke College students, designed to support aspiring founders at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.
Established by entrepreneur and Pembroke alumnus Dr Richard Parmee, the competition encourages students to develop innovative business ideas and gain practical experience in entrepreneurship. Applications are welcomed from ventures at any stage, from early concepts through to more developed business ideas, making it an accessible entry point for first-time founders as well as those already building a venture.
A distinctive feature of the competition is the personalised support available throughout the process. Participants receive training and mentoring from Dr Richard Parmee, helping them refine their ideas, strengthen their business case, and prepare for pitching. Shortlisted candidates take part in pitching training before presenting to a panel of judges drawn from industry, investment, and entrepreneurship backgrounds.
The winner receives £2,000 in prize funding to help develop their venture, alongside ongoing mentoring support. Past participants have developed projects ranging from healthcare innovations and AI tools to assistive technologies and software platforms, reflecting the broad range of entrepreneurial activity across the Pembroke community.
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