DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT SOLVES A PROBLEM OR SATISFIES A NEED?

Apply TODAY to participate in the UTRGV’s Center for Innovation & Commercialization’s Big Idea Competition. Be a part of a fun event where participants will have the opportunity to pitch their venture ideas in a shark tank – like environment, be paired with a mentor, and pitch their ideas to a group of knowledgeable entrepreneurs and innovators for a chance to win cash prices to launch their business.

Program Information

This competition will be held in person. Participants will be separated into two categories: Student and General. Participants in both categories have a chance to win cash prices in the top 3 places.

Prizes:

• 1st Place Student Winner: $1,500
• 2nd Place Student Winner: $750
• 3rd Place Student Winner: $500

• 1st Place General Winner: $1,500
• 2nd Place General Winner: $750
• 3rd Place General Winner: $500

All ideas must be submitted by an individual or a team consisting of multiple people, whether UTRGV students of RGV community members.

All entries must be ideas, and not a developed business. An idea that already has a functioning business associated with it will not be accepted. Specifically, the idea:

• Cannot be currently generating revenues
• Cannot already have received funding or financing of any form
• Cannot have any legal form of incorporation

Participants from the student category may qualify to compete at the Blackstone LaunchPad Ideas Competition, which will take place in December 2021. Participants’ Ideas must fall under these categories:

• Social and Climate Impact
• Health
• Consumer Products
• General Category

Who Should Apply?

• UTRGV undergraduate/ graduate students, staff, faculty or RGV community members
• Aspiring entrepreneurs who want hands-on experience

Application Opens: September 14, 2021 at 8:00 AM

Information Session #1: September 29, 2021 at 11:00AM

Information Session #2: October 6, 2021 at 1:00 PM

Deadline to apply: Friday, October 22, 2021 by 11:59 PM CST

Notification of Participants: Friday, October 29, 2021 by 5:00 PM CST

Competition Finale: Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 1:00PM- 3:00PM

Location: UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization