Sponge Labs Competition 2026

1. Promoter

The SpongeLabs Competition 2026 is operated by Creative Sponge Limited (“Creative Sponge”), Fuel Studios, Pottergate, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1DX.

By submitting an application, entrants agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.

2. Competition Overview

The Sponge Labs Competition is an annual initiative through which Creative Sponge will provide up to £15,000 worth of strategic, creative and consultancy services to one selected business.

The support will be tailored to the needs of the successful applicant and may include, but is not limited to, brand development, strategic planning, creative consultancy, marketing support, campaign development, design, digital consultancy and related professional creative services.

The competition is intended to provide access to Creative Sponge’s expertise, thinking and professional services. It does not include third-party costs, production costs or externally purchased services.

No cash alternative is available.

3. Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a registered business trading within the United Kingdom.
• Be based within the East of England – Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire.
• Be represented by an owner, director or senior decision-maker with authority to participate in the application process and subsequent project.
• Submit only one application per business.

Creative Sponge reserves the right to request evidence of eligibility at any stage.

Employees of Creative Sponge, their immediate families, and businesses directly associated with the competition are not eligible to enter.

4. Competition Timetable

Applications open on the date published on the Sponge Labs website.

Applications close at 11:59pm on 31 August 2026.

Creative Sponge reserves the right to extend the application period where it considers it appropriate to do so. Any revised closing date will be published on the Sponge Labs website.

Following review and shortlisting, the successful applicant is expected to be announced on or around 30 September 2026.

Creative Sponge reserves the right to amend these dates if reasonably necessary.

5. Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the Creative Sponge leadership team.

Entries will be assessed based on factors including:

• Business potential.
• Commercial viability.
• Ambition for growth.
• Clarity of objectives.
• Commitment to the process.
• The potential impact that Sponge Labs support could deliver.

Creative Sponge may invite shortlisted applicants to participate in additional discussions, interviews or meetings before making a final decision.

The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.

Creative Sponge is not obliged to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Creative Sponge reserves the right not to award the prize if, in its reasonable opinion, no application meets the objectives of the Sponge Labs Competition.

6. The Prize

The successful applicant will receive up to £15,000 worth of Creative Sponge strategic, creative and consultancy services.

The precise scope, deliverables and allocation of support will be determined jointly following an initial discovery phase and may include services such as:

• Strategic planning and consultancy
• Brand development and positioning
• Visual identity design
• Packaging design
• Graphic design and creative development
• Video editing and animation
• Marketing and campaign support
• Website design and digital consultancy
• Content planning and creative workshops
• Project management relating to the agreed scope

The £15,000 figure represents the estimated commercial value of Creative Sponge’s professional services and does not represent a cash award.

The prize excludes all third-party and externally purchased services, including but not limited to:

• Printing and print production
• Photography
• Videography and film production
• Exhibition stand manufacture and production
• Direct mail production, fulfilment and postage
• Advertising and media spend
• Website hosting and software subscriptions
• Stock imagery, fonts and licensed assets
• Packaging production and manufacturing
• Signage and installation costs
• Any outsourced supplier, contractor or production costs

Where third-party services are required, Creative Sponge may assist with specification, supplier recommendations and project management. However, all associated costs will remain the responsibility of the successful applicant.

The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

7. Project Participation

The successful applicant agrees to actively participate in the project and provide reasonable access to information, personnel and decision-makers required for successful delivery.

The successful applicant acknowledges that implementation of recommendations, campaigns, creative outputs or other deliverables may require additional expenditure beyond the scope of the Sponge Labs prize. Any such costs will remain the responsibility of the successful applicant unless otherwise agreed in writing.

The project must commence within three months of the winner being announced unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Creative Sponge reserves the right to withdraw or reduce support where the successful applicant:

• Becomes unresponsive.
• Fails to provide information reasonably requested.
• Misses agreed deadlines repeatedly.
• Acts in a manner that prevents meaningful progress.
• Provides false or misleading information during the application process.

8. Publicity and Case Study Rights

By entering the competition, applicants acknowledge that the successful applicant will be expected to participate in reasonable publicity activities relating to Sponge Labs.

The successful applicant agrees to:

• Participate in interviews, photography, video content and promotional activities where reasonably requested.
• Allow Creative Sponge to document and share the project journey.
• Provide testimonials, feedback and project outcomes where appropriate.

Creative Sponge may use project details, creative work, results, photographs, video content and related materials for marketing, promotional and business development purposes, including website content, social media, presentations, awards submissions and case studies.

9. Intellectual Property

Ownership of final project deliverables will be transferred to the successful applicant upon completion of the agreed work, subject to any third-party licensing requirements.

Creative Sponge retains ownership of its pre-existing intellectual property, methodologies, frameworks, tools, processes and know-how.

Creative Sponge reserves the right to display completed work within its portfolio and promotional materials.

10. Limitation of Liability

Creative Sponge will use reasonable skill and care in delivering the services provided through SpongeLabs.

However, no guarantees are made regarding future business performance, sales, profitability, growth, customer acquisition or commercial outcomes.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Creative Sponge shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential or economic loss arising from participation in the competition or delivery of the project.

11. Business Continuity

The SpongeLabs Competition and any associated support are offered at the sole discretion of Creative Sponge Limited and are subject to the continued operation and financial viability of the business.

In the event that Creative Sponge Limited enters administration, liquidation, insolvency proceedings, ceases trading, or is otherwise unable to continue providing the SpongeLabs programme, Creative Sponge reserves the right to suspend, reduce or terminate any remaining support with immediate effect.

In such circumstances, no cash alternative, compensation, damages or substitute services shall be payable to the successful applicant or any other participant in respect of any unfulfilled portion of the prize.

By entering the competition, applicants acknowledge and accept that the continuation of the SpongeLabs programme is dependent upon the ongoing operation of Creative Sponge Limited.

12. Data Protection

Information submitted as part of the application process will be used solely for the administration of the Sponge Labs Competition and related communications. Personal information will be processed in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation and Creative Sponge’s Privacy Policy.

13. Force Majeure

Creative Sponge shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms & Conditions where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, industrial disputes, cyber incidents, government restrictions, utility failures or other unforeseen events.

14. General

Creative Sponge reserves the right to amend, suspend or withdraw the competition where reasonably necessary.

Creative Sponge reserves the right not to award the prize if no suitable applicant is identified.

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes arising from the competition shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.