Innovation Challenge
The Innovation Challenge is a series of competitions designed to assist and reward UMass students and young alumni pursuing a novel business idea and developing it into a marketable product.
The Minute Pitch Competition: 60 seconds ... $1,000. Sound good? Get started and test venture ideas in front of a panel of judges. Mentors will be on site to provide feedback. No written business models or plans required. $2,500 in seed money awarded to the four teams, the top three and the audience choice winner, as determined by the judges.
The Seed Pitch Competition: Form your business model and perfect your elevator pitch. Convince the judges how and why your venture will be successful. $15,000 in seed money awarded to select teams as determined by the judges.
The Semifinal: Simulate the investor boardroom experience. Present your venture to a panel of judges in a closed-door setting and compete for a spot in the final.
The Final: The best of the best vie for significant financial contributions to move their venture forward. $65,000 in seed money awarded to select teams as determined by the judges.
Teams may enter at any point of the competition.
Compete!
Questions? Contact Molly O'Mara (momara@isenberg.umass.edu)