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Side Hustle
The creative competition to start-up or scale-up your passion projects. Pitch your big ideas to investors and creative directors, with a chance to win the mentoring and resources needed to help you succeed.
Entries for 2021 are now closed and judging is taking place in April and May. Winners will be announced at the free to access live stream virtual D&AD Awards Ceremony on 26 & 27 May.
Categories
You can enter your business as a start-up or a scale-up.
Start-ups are early stage projects demonstrating appropriate research and testing with the potential for growth.
Scale-ups are projects that demonstrate some early success and can show that they’re on track to meet their intended scale.
Student categories are for those still in education, or recent graduates.
Emerging Professional categories are for those with less than 3 years experience producing commercial creative work.
Established Professional categories are for those with more than 3 years experience producing commercial creative work.
Learn more about Side Hustle
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What is it?
Side Hustle is the competition for students, emerging talent and creative professionals with big ideas.
The D&AD Side Hustle Pencil is awarded to inspiring, scalable projects that demonstrate creativity and innovation.
Entry is open to anyone with a Side Hustle, so long as it demonstrates flair and creativity.
Is your Side Hustle on the way to becoming your main hustle? Then our scale up categories are for you.
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What can I win?
D&AD Side Hustle Pencil
A symbol of creative excellenceYour name and project in the D&AD Annual
Now online and freely accessible to the global creative communityMentoring with a D&AD judge
Two hours with an industry expert, focusing on you and your businessA D&AD Masterclass
Choose from Creative Skills, Creative Mindset or Creative Leadership -
What are the judges looking for?
Start Ups:
– Is it innovative and inspiring?
– Is it supported by appropriate research and testing?
– Does it show potential for growth?Scale Ups:
– Is it innovative and inspiring?
– Is it fully operational with proven success?
– Is it on track to meet its intended scale? -
How to enter
Download the new entry kit for eligibility criteria and more information on what to submit.
A reduced entry fee applies to students and emerging professionals.
If you are shortlisted, please make sure you are available to pitch your idea to our panel of judges on Tuesday 18 May 2021.
View past finalists and winners
Discover the finalists who got the chance to pitch at the D&AD Awards 2020. From fashion brands to fogponics, view the finalists and winners here.
Work that matters must be celebrated
Entries are now closed for 2021. Winners will be announced at the free to access virtual ceremony streamed online on 26 & 27 May.