Enactus World Cup Qualifiers
Top 20
Competition Overview
The Top 20 marks the final stages of our journey towards the Enactus World Cup, bringing together the most promising teams from across the UK & Ireland.
Teams present their projects to a panel of judges who evaluate them based on the Enactus Criterion including entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, business principles and sustainable positive impact.
Taking place on the 14th of April 2025, the Top 20 competition provides a platform for those selected Enactus teams to showcase their impactful projects to a panel of judges. The winners from each league will advance to the Top 4 Final of the Enactus UK & Ireland World Cup Qualifiers taking place on the 15th April.
Secure Your Seat!
Note: when you register for the Top 20, you will optionally be able to secure your seat for the NextGen Takeover (isn’t that convenient?)!
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11th March: Top 20 Information Session (2pm)
12th March: Top 20 Drop-In Session (Optional – 12pm)
18th March: Competition Coaching Clinic (Levelling up your presentations!)
31st March: Pre-Audit Submission Deadline
14th April: Top 20 Competition
15th April: Top 4 Competition
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Before participating in the next round of competition, teams are required to submit their pre-audit which includes team and project information and the submission of a Project Verification Form signed by a University Advisor and Lead Student. You can access the Pre-Audit form HERE, and download the Project Verification Form HERE.
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Presenting Teams are limited to a maximum of 7 students, covering both presenters and technical support (clickers!).
This same limit applies to the Q&A session and must be the same students. While each university must compete as a single team, you are welcome to pitch several projects within your time slot if you wish. We encourage you to have a presentation lineup of 4–6 students on stage.
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3-Minute Set-Up Period: This is your chance to set up and check any audio-visual equipment. Once your team has set up, a plain black screen must be displayed. During this time it is suggested that the Annual Reports are handed out to the judges (any student member can support this).
Please note that anyone may assist with the set-up or operation of audio-visual equipment within the set-up time, however when the 12 minutes starts, only core presentation team members (including the student responsible for your tech/presentation) can then operate the device used.12-Minute Presentation: You will have 12-minutes maximum to deliver your presentation. You must conclude with a blank screen. Please note that if you exceed 12-minutes your presentation will be cut off.
5 -Minute Question and Answer Period: This is the chance for judges’ to ask questions - please note a black screen must be displayed.
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Equipment provided by Enactus UK & Ireland
Projector
Screen
(HDMI) cable
Microphones (Final Round Only)
Equipment Teams MUST Bring
Laptop(s)
HDMI connectors/converters
Please note the competition room setup will remain the same from each team to the next.
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Each team will be judged using the following Criterion:
Which Enactus team most effectively demonstrated entrepreneurial
leadership to drive business and innovation for sustainable positive
impact to benefit people, planet, and prosperity within the last year?You can see an example judging form here - Enactus UK & Ireland Judgin Form
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Teams must present only impact data and project implementations realised between the 1st April 2025 and the 31st March 2026.
This ensures that results showcased align with the Enactus Project Criterion and accurately reflect recent achievements.
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** Please note that this year we encourage you to use digital annual reports to save on printing costs and environmental impact.
Every competing team must produce an annual report summarising its projects and highlighting the impact over the last required impact period.
This document, mandatory to be shared with judges, should detail project descriptions, target beneficiaries, and actual impacts achieved.
Your report may consist of up to four single-sided A4 or 8 1⁄2″ X 11” pages, or you can opt for double-sided, with a maximum of two sheets used.
Standardised Impact Page in Annual Reports: To enhance transparency and provide a clear and consistent impact assessment at the competition, each team’s Annual Report must include one standardised page displaying impact and financial results based on Enactus’ official definitions (see definitions section).Please note the standardised page must be one of the 4 pages of your annual report.
What you Need to Know
Competition Journey
Top 20 Virtual Coaching Clinic
17
March
Pre-Audit & Project Verification Form Submission Deadline
31
March
Top 20 Competition @ NextGen Takeover.
14
April
Top 4 Competition @ NextGen Takeover.
15
April
Enactus World Cup,
Brazil 2026
16-19
November
Next Steps & Actions
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In addition to the contents on this page, make sure to check out:
The Enactus UK & Ireland and Enactus Global YouTube Channels for examples of past presentations.
The Enactus Criterion resource page for a detailed walkthrough the matrixes used by judges.
The NextGen Takeover Homepage for more information about THE event of 2026, including the Ideas4Impact Accelerator for new ideas!
Judge Feedback will have been sent to your team in its Top 20 email.
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The Top 20 and NextGen Takeover will be held at the ExCeL Centre in London. The nearest train station to the ExCeL London is Custom House, whose station is 200m away from the venue's main entrance. Please ensure that you have arranged your travel and individually secured your seats for both the Top 20 and the NextGen Takeover.
Top 20 - Tuesday 14th April
Arrive for check-in at 1:15PM
Individual Registration Form: https://forms.enactusuki.org/t/7h6iDfiZGcus.NextGen Takeover - including the Top 4 - Wednesday 15th April
Arrive for check-in at 9:30AM
Individual Registration Form: https://forms.enactusuki.org/nextgentakeover.
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The Impact Reporting Period is from April 1st 2025 - 31st March 2026.
This means you still have around a month between the Top 20 being announced and your Pre-Audit submission to elevate your impact! Utilise the feedback you have received from judges to make the most of the next few weeks and give yourselves the best chance of making the Top 4!
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All Enactus Teams that make it through to the Top 20 will need to submit by March 31st.
Only one submission per competing team is required for Pre-Audit. More details about the Pre-Audit can be found in its dedicated section.
Pre-Audit Submission Form: https://forms.enactusuki.org/t/epV1pvNuENus
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Once Pre-Audit is submitted and approved, you'll have two further weeks to prepare and practise your pitch.This includes
Doing a full run through with your team, UAs and wider university network.
Attending the exclusive Top 20 Coach Clinic on 17th of March.
Note: You are permitted to make cosmetic changes to your Presentation Slides or Video and Presentation Script even after you have submitted your Pre-Audit. You can find out more on the dedicated section on this page.
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Finally the big day! It's time to celebrate your team and all your hard work!
When Top 20 arrives, you'll be able to have the confidence knowing that you're in the Top 1% of students globally who make it this far. So whether you're presenting or cheering everybody on remember: when we compete to change lives #WeAllWin!
“The competition was a great opportunity to hone public speaking skills in front of hundreds of people. Those moments with my friends on stage have been etched into my memory - I’d recommend anyone to get involved and go!”
Enactus Criterion
All Enactus projects all over the world follow a simple framework that guides the creation of new and existing projects called the Enactus Criterion. It is used to evaluate your realised outcomes & direct impact at Regional and Global Enactus competitions:
Which Enactus team most effectively demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership to drive business and innovation for sustainable positive impact to benefit people, planet and prosperity within the last year?
Impact Reporting Period: (April 1st 2025 - 31st March 2026)
You can find out more about the Enactus Criterion, including definitions HERE.
The winners of each league are announced on April 15th as the Top 4 finalists.
On The Day - Top 20 Agenda
Registration: Upon arrival, each team must sign in at registration before heading to the designated waiting area.
Team Briefing: All teams will have a short session to go through the day and get ready for the competition.
Competition Time: The Top 20 teams will compete in one of four leagues. Taking it in turns, each team will present their 12-minute AV presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A period.
Presentation Format
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Each Enactus team will have a maximum of 3 minutes to set up and check any audio-visual equipment. Once the team has set up, a plain black screen must be displayed.During this time, judges will be reviewing the digital Annual Reports. Please note that only Annual Reports are shared with judges. You cannot give out any products, prototypes, or any other additional items.
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Your team will have a maximum of 12 minutes to deliver their presentation. Your presentation does not need to fill the full 12-minutes. You must end on a blank, black screen, and you will be cut off if you exceed the time limit.
Please note that anyone may assist with the set-up or operation of audio-visual equipment within the set-up time, however when the 12 minutes starts, only core presentation team members (including the student responsible for your tech/presentation) can then operate the device used.
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Each team has 5 minutes only to answer questions given by the judges in the room. Only those students in the core presentation team (including the student responsible for your tech/presentation) may answer questions. Only judges may ask questions. Please note that any unused time remaining from the 12-minute presentation will not be added to Q&A time. You must have a plain black screen throughout the Q&A period.
Presentation Team
Presenting Teams are limited to a maximum of 7 students, covering both presenters and technical support. This same limit applies to the Q&A session and must be the same students. While each university must compete as a single team, you are welcome to pitch several projects within your time slot if you wish. We encourage you to have a presentation lineup of 4–6 students on stage.
Key Reminders - Presentations
A reliable, charged laptop with a working HDMI port and your presentation preloaded/downloaded and laptop charger. You are welcome to use cue cards.
Bring spares and a backup of your presentation! Have a USB or external drive copy in case of technical issues.
You should bring…
We will provide…
A projector, screen and HDMI cable (not type C). Please note: Laptops, HDMI connectors and any other equipment needed for the presentation will not be provided. You will need to provide a Mac converter if using an Apple device.
If the equipment breaks…
In case of a power failure in the space, the competition will stop until the problem is fixed. If your electronic equipment fails (i.e. laptop dies, presentation freezes, etc.), the presentation time will continue to count down.
The dress code is…
Business casual with a sustainable twist. We recommend considering clothing made from sustainable materials, charity shop finds or previously owned pieces. Stand out and showcase your team spirit through your outfit colours or styles!
Have fun!
Everyone in Enactus is here for the same reason - to make a difference - so please enjoy the day and don't forget to celebrate everything you have achieved this year!
Measuring & Articulating Impact
When developing Enactus projects, it's crucial to understand the core impact we and our projects are creating for people, planet, and prosperity. It's not just about meeting the Enactus Criterion; it's about generating positive, sustainable outcomes and impact now.
To understand and judge how successful projects are, teams need to know and articulate clearly the difference between what they put in (inputs), what they produce (outputs), the positive changes they create (outcomes), and the wider impact they have (direct and indirect).
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Inputs are the resources you invest in your project, like time, money, and skills.
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Outputs are the immediate, tangible products of your efforts; think of activities or services your project delivers.
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Direct Impact reflects the measurable improvements in knowledge, skills, or resources among individuals with whom the team directly worked. The immediate and measurable changes that happen to the people or organisations as a direct result of the teams’ intervention (not their project partners!).
Example: Trained 15 local seamstresses with upcycling techniques, pattern making, and fashion design.
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Indirect Impact includes those who indirectly gain knowledge, resources, or skills — but with whom the team did not work with directly — contributing to broader improvements for people, planet, and prosperity.
Example: Indirect impact can be seen in the improved well-being of the families of the local seamstresses, who now experience increased financial stability due to their mothers' enhanced earning potential.
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Projections show what might happen in the future, based on your current success. While helpful for showing long-term potential, judges will primarily focus on the actual impact you've achieved this year.
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Reach measures exposure, not necessarily the effect your project had on those individuals. While reach is an important metric, it's crucial to remember that it doesn't directly translate to impact and therefore cannot be labelled as such.
All impact claimed must be within the official Impact Reporting Period between 1st April 2025 - 31st March 2026. Impact outside of this period should not be included or claimed as part of your Presentation Slides or Video, Presentation Script or Annual Report.
Annual Reports
For the Top 20 and Top 4, Annual Reports will be submitted DIGITALLY via the Pre-Audit form.
The Annual Report can be made up of a maximum of four single-sided A4 sheets.
The Annual Report must, as a minimum, include the Standardised Page as one of its four A4 sheets (see more below).
You should not crop or submit your Annual Report in a smaller size than what has been outlined above. You cannot use QR codes to extend your annual report beyond this size. If a team uses a cover or back page, it will count as towards the two sheet limit. Teams should not use folders, report covers, etc. in conjunction with their Annual Reports.
Top 20 and Top 4 Judges who request physical Annual Reports will have these provided by Enactus UK & Ireland. Leftover Annual Reports will be recycled.
Standardised Page
To enhance transparency and consistency, each team’s Annual Report must include one standardised page displaying impact and financial results. This ensures all teams present their outcomes in a clear, comparable format. The standardised impact table ensures a clear, measurable way to evaluate project success and promotes fair, consistent impact assessment at Enactus Competitions. You can find an example standardised page HERE.
Reporting Multi-Year Project Impact
Teams with multi-year projects (e.g., that started prior to the current impact period) can mention past impact for context, but their evaluation should focus on impact achieved within the official reporting period. This approach recognises project continuity, which is essential for scaling initiatives into long-term, sustainable enterprises.
Judge Process
To make the most of your presentation, it's helpful to understand how the judges will be evaluating you. This section explains the judging process used in all competitions, including how judges are prepared for their role. This knowledge can help you tailor your presentation and increase your chances of success!
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Judges receive training on how to evaluate teams according to the competition’s criteria including both a virtual and in-personal judge orientation.
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Every judge must agree to the Judge Oath which is the same oath that is used across the World. With this, they commit to providing fair and quality assessments of the teams’ overall programme.
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Introduced by the competition coordinator, each team will have 12-minutes to present their project to a panel of judges, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.
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During each presentation, judges use the Individual Team Evaluation Form (ITEF) to assess the quality and impact of teams’ initatives and score accordingly.
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Judges then use the Cumulative Evaluation Form (CEF) to assess and rank the teams with number one being 1st place, number two being 2nd place and so on.
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After the completion of the Top 20, all scores will be reviewed, and the Top 4 will be announced on the 15th of April at the NextGen Takeover.
Pre-Audit - At a Glance
All Enactus Teams that make it through to the Top 20 will complete Pre-Audit before competing.
This ensures all teams adhere to the same standards when presenting their Enactus impact, creating a fairer competition for all.
The term ‘audit’ might feel scary, but there is no need to worry - it's not about catching you out! Quite simply, if you use the Enactus impact guidelines and only claim impact you can prove with evidence, you're good to go. Think of the audit as a chance to highlight your team's great work, and take comfort in knowing every Top 20 team is held to the same high standards.
Basically, who are the active students and UAs in your Enactus team, and who the main student contact over the summer is.
Operational Details
Project Details
Confirm your team’s active projects, and impact. Also which projects are going to be included in your presentation. Any impact claims will need to be submitted with evidence.
Live Links
You’ll be asked to share the Live Links for your Presentation Slides or Video, Presentation Script and Annual Report. Live Links mean you are able to make cosmetic changes.
Project Verification Form
A Project Verification Form will be shared with your team via email, and will need to be completed and uploaded.
When is the deadline?
31 March @ Midday (UKI Time)
Please note that failure to complete and submit the pre-audit on time may result in disqualification from the competition.
Pre-Audit Must Be Submitted BEFORE Midday on 31st March 2026
Submissions will then be reviewed by Enactus UK & Ireland. Approval will either be given by this date or further clarification questions will be sought. In this case, the deadline for clarifications will be communicated to your team. If you have not heard back from Enactus UK & Ireland by 12pm on Monday 6th April 2026, it is assumed that you have passed the Pre-Audit.
Editing After Pre-Audit
You are permitted to make cosmetic changes until 23:59 (UKI time) on Wednesday, 8th April. Please note that any non-cosmetic changes to your presentation after your Pre-Audit submission is approved may result in impact being disregarded by judges or necessitate corrections being applied to your submission.
*Cosmetic changes refer to minor edits that do not alter the substance, meaning, data, claims, impact figures, or outcomes presented. This includes formatting adjustments, spelling / grammar corrections, visual design improvements, slide ordering, transitions, audio quality, or minor wording refinements that do not change intent or content.
** Non-cosmetic changes refer to any edits that materially alter the substance of the submission. This includes adding or removing impact data, changing financial figures, changing claims, adding new project activity after March 31st 2026, or activity that is otherwise not included in the approved Pre-Audit submission.
Coaching Clinic
Time: Wednesday 18th March, 3:30PM to 5:00PM
All Top 20 teams are automatically enrolled in our upcoming Coach Clinic - an exclusive opportunity designed to elevate pitches in front of industry partners and refine every element of their delivery before the big stage.
If you’re a top 20 team, you will have already been contacted about this opportunity.
Any questions? Contact Neha (nkawa@enactus.org).
FAQs
General Information
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The Top 20 is the penultimate round of the Enactus World Cup Qualifiers. Top 20 Teams will present their projects to a panel of judges at the ExCeL Centre in London on the 14th April.
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The winners from each of the four leagues advance to the Top 4 Final Round where they’ll present at the ExCel on the 15th of April. The champion represents the UK & Ireland at the Enactus World Cup in Brazil.
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The Top 20 and Top 4 will be held at the Platinum Suite, ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL. The nearest tube stop is: Custom House
Registration
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Everyone attending the Top 20 will be required to complete their own individual registration HERE.
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There is no limit to how many members you can have from your Enactus Team supporting you on the day so make sure to bring everyone along!
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There are no restrictions to students or staff aged 18+ from any UK or Irish university registering for and attending the Top 20. If you would like to bring a guest that doesn’t fit neatly into this category, please reach out and we’d be more than happy to advise.
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Yes, as long as you still meet the minimum and maximum presenters requirements. If someone drops out, you can replace them with another eligible team member.
If this is the case you must let Stephen (sbrown@enactus.org) know as soon as possible as we will need to know the details of the new attendee such as Full Name, Email, and any Access Requirements.
Competition Details
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Set-up Period (3 minutes).
Audio/visual presentation (12 minutes).
Judge Q&A (5 minutes).
This is the same for both Top 20 and Top 4. You can find out more in the Presentation Format section of this page.
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Yes - however this will only be shared with you after the competition has concluded on the 15th of April.
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No, you can have completely different presenters for the Top 20, so long as you still adhere to the minimum and maxmimum requirements for presenters.
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There is no penalty for presentations that are shorter than 12 minutes. However, you will be stopped if your presentation exceeds the 12-minute limit.
Please note that any remaining time from your presentation will not be added to your 5-minute Judge Q&A time. -
While you are permitted to hold a prop on stage (for example a soap made by your team), you are not permitted to hand anything to the judges at any point, either before or during your presentation. You should contact Stephen (sbrown@enactus.org) if you have any questions about a prop you plan to bring as part of your presentation.
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In the event of a power failure or any other fault attributable to Enactus UK & Ireland or the venue, the competition will be paused until the issue is resolved.
Should a team's electronic equipment fail due to a fault attributable to the team, the allocated presentation time will continue to elapse. This can include the team’s laptop dying, presentation freezing, sound malfunctioning etc.
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It is each team’s responsibility to ensure all necessary equipment is brought and is in working order. Once your presentation timer starts, any technical issues or missing items will continue to count against your total time. You have 3 minutes for set-up; if you exceed this, the extra time needed will reduce your 12-minute presentation slot.
We will only pause the timer for technical faults on our side, such as a venue power failure.
We strongly recommend brining backup chargers, downloaded powerpoints on USBs or backup laptops.
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No, if your team advances to the Top 4, you will present the same presentation that you delivered during the Top 20. The format, structure, and time limit will remain the same. The only difference is that you will now be presenting in front of a larger audience and a new panel of judges during the Top 4. This ensures a fair and consistent competition for all teams.
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You will find out which league you are competing in on April 14th at the Top 20 Competition. League assignments will be revealed on the day, just before the competition begins, ensuring a fair and exciting experience for all teams.
Measuring & Articulating Impact
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Yes, all Enactus Teams that make it through to the Top 20 will complete a pre-audit before competing. This ensures all teams adhere to the same standards when presenting their Enactus impact, creating a fairer competition for all.
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You can include both. You must clearly distinguish between the actual impact you’ve already achieved and projections of future outcomes. Projections demonstrate your project’s potential, but judges will be asked to focus on actual results only.
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Absolutely. We encourage judges to ask about what it is that you have presented especially in regards to verifying impact, so it’s important that you are prepared to answer questions on what you have presented. Be prepared to explain how you gathered your data, why it’s reliable, and what it shows about your project’s impact. The easiest thing to do is make your presentation really clear so they don’t have a reason to!
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Direct Impact: Measurable improvements among individuals you directly worked with (e.g., participants who received training).
Indirect Impact: Benefits experienced by those who didn’t directly participate but were positively influenced by the project (e.g., families or community members of the direct participants).
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Yes – if it’s not clear, the judges may ask. It’s important that you are being as accurate as possible with the impact you have created.
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Combine quantitative data (e.g., surveys with scaled questions) with qualitative methods like interviews, focus groups, or personal testimonials. These approaches can help you capture and communicate the human side of your project’s impact.
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Definitely not! As mentioned above, impact is one measurement of the Enactus criterion out of 4. Judges value the work you’ve put in to develop your projects, meet needs and create interventions. A deeper, more meaningful impact on a smaller group or even one, can be more compelling than a superficial impact on many.
Event Preparation
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Registration for Top 20 opens at 1:15PM on the 14th of April; the day will conclude by 4:30PM. Generally, plan to arrive at least 15-30 minutes before the start to settle in.
Individual Registration Form: https://forms.enactusuki.org/t/7h6iDfiZGcus. -
Wear something that makes you feel both good and professional. Think smart business casual, but don't feel like you have to be super formal. Comfort is key as they are long days! If you can showcase your team spirit through your outfit colours or styles - even better!
**At Enactus being sustainable is important. We encourage you, where appropriate, to consider clothing made from sustainable materials, charity shop finds, or previously owned pieces.
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There will be no food provided at the event, however, the ExCeL Centre has many options to purchase food and beverages.
Please feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks to keep energised throughout the day.
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A reliable, charged laptop with a working HDMI port and your presentation preloaded/downloaded.
Laptop charger.
Reusable Water Bottle.
Recommended:
• Backup of Your Presentation! Have a USB or external drive copy in case of technical issues.
• Back up laptop.
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The live links to your presentation are submitted in advance as part of your team’s Pre-Audit. However, on the day, you will still need to bring your presentation on a laptop with an HDMI port to ensure it can be displayed.
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Yes, you are permitted to use support materials such as notes, cue cards, or scripts while presenting.
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No, there is no specific template required for your presentation.
You have the freedom to design it in a way that best represents your team and project.
Accessibility and Support
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We recommend reaching out to your University Advisors first to understand the process for reclaiming travel expenses. While each university may have its own guidelines, consider utilising any available funds in your team’s bank account to support attendance at these events, as doing so can significantly accelerate your projects.
If your team is experiencing difficulties attending this event, please contact Stephen (sbrown@enactus.org), copying in Amy (abrereton@enactus.org), and we will explore how we may be able to assist.
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Please include accessibility requirements in the registration form, and we will do our best to accommodate them.
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If you require a prayer room, please get in touch with Stephen (sbrown@enactus.org) to let us know in advance of the event.
Relevant Policies and Procedures
Anything else we can help with? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Stephen at sbrown@enactus.org