Applications now open: £100,000 investment opportunity for responsible AI innovators
The University of and The Jeremy Coller Foundation launch new competition to support early-stage ventures utilising AI for the benefit of people and society
The University of has launched a new responsible AI competition in partnership with the Jeremy Coller Foundation, offering a £100,000 equity investment to support one promising early-stage venture from its global community of students, staff and alumni.
Applications are now open for the Coller AI Competition, which is designed to help innovators develop ventures with real-world potential – ensuring technology empowers rather than excludes. The competition will support solutions that use AI in ways that are fair, transparent, sustainable and focused on social benefit. The winner will benefit from the opportunity to work closely with the Jeremy Coller Foundation team to develop their venture.
The initiative forms part of the University’s Challenge Accepted campaign, which champions ideas with the potential to tackle major global challenges.
Backed by alumnus and philanthropist Jeremy Coller, the competition brings together the University’s research strength, entrepreneurial talent and commitment to responsible innovation. It aims to identify and support founders developing AI solutions that are not only commercially promising but designed to benefit people and society.
Finalists will pitch their ventures at the University’s Innovation Festival in October, where the winner will be selected to receive the £100,000 investment.
Professor Aline Miller, Associate Vice President (Enterprise) at The University of , said: “This is an exciting opportunity to back one early-stage venture with the support and investment needed to develop responsible AI with real-world potential. We’re looking for founders who want to build something purposeful, practical and capable of making a positive difference.”
Jeremy Coller said, “The AI revolution is already changing and shaping our world at a dizzying speed. Used smartly and responsibly AI can be the key that unlocks solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing this planet, and the Coller AI Competition will help students, staff and alumni turn that potential into reality.”
is the philanthropic vehicle of private equity entrepreneur Jeremy Coller. The Foundation works to create positive impact on globally significant issues with a focus on education, entrepreneurship, pensions innovation and the transition to a more sustainable food system. By supporting ambitious ideas, the Foundation helps drive lasting change and empower the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
Application timeline – 2026
The competition is open for applications from any students, staff or alumni from across the University who are working on an AI-driven business. At least one founder in each team must be within one of these categories.
- 14th July – applications open
- 1st September – applications close
- 21st September – finalists notified
- 9th October – final pitches and award
Find out more and apply now –