OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas and is the largest university startup competition in
North Texas. The BIC brings undergraduate and graduate students together from all disciplines to
pitch the most innovative startups and ideas in front of their peers and a panel of esteemed judges
for cash and scholarship awards. The BIC is one of the most celebrated nights of entrepreneurship in
North Texas and recognizes the entrepreneurial progress of UT Dallas students, staff, faculty, and
alumni.
Learn More
PREPARE
Apply to pitch your innovative startup idea in front of your peers and a panel of esteemed judges for cash and scholarship awards. Don’t miss this chance to be part of one of the most celebrated nights of entrepreneurship in North Texas, recognizing the entrepreneurial progress of UT Dallas students, staff, faculty, and alumni.
Preview
View Our Funding Guidelines
Preview Our Pitch Competition Application
Preview Our Entrepreneurship Awards Nomination Form
Preview Our UTDesign Startup Challenge Application
Applications will open August 19, 2019.
Student Pitch Competition Awards
*Must be currently enrolled UT Dallas student, any major, any classification.
Grand Prize: $25,000
Second Prize: $10,000
Third Prize: $5,000
Entrepreneurship Awards
Open to The University of Texas at Dallas students, alumni, faculty and staff
Innovate(her): $5,000
Eligible businesses will have a woman founder or at least one woman co-founder among the founding shareholders
Best Undergraduate Pitch: $5,000
Teams comprised of undergraduate students only
Biggest Social Impact: $5,000
Eligible businesses and organizations will be focused on making a significant social impact.
Biggest Idea: $5,000
Awarded to the idea or business with the most disruptive product or service innovation
UTDesign Startup Challenge: $20,000
The UTDesign Startup Challenge leverages experiential learning through the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science’s UTDesign senior capstone course to help bring high-potential technology startups to life. Selected ventures receive $15,000 of engineering services over one or two semesters, a technical mentor, business coaches, and $5,000 towards approved business expenses to establish and grow the business.
KEY DATES
Applications Open: August 19, 2019
Applications Close: October 20, 2019
Semi-Finals: November 1, 2019
Finals: November 12, 2019
Prepare
View Our Funding Guidelines
Preview Our Pitch Competition Application
Preview Our Entrepreneurship Awards Nomination Form
Preview Our UTDesign Startup Challenge Application
Apply
Applications will be reviewed by committee and the committee will select approximately 30 submissions to pitch in front of experienced entrepreneurs and investors serving as judges at the semifinals. The semifinals judges will select the top 5-6 individuals or teams to pitch live on stage at the finals. Mentorship, guidance, and practice sessions are available throughout the process. Submit your application through the appropriate link below. You may apply for all categories that you are eligible for. Please review the prepare tab for more information.
Student Pitch Competition
UTDesign Startup Challenge
Entrepreneurship Awards Nomination
SPONSORS
Fall 2018
Title Sponsors
Signature Sponsors
pointb
RevTech Ventures
Vinson & Elkins LLP
University Partners
Blackstone Launchpad
Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
UTD Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
UTD Naveen Jindal School of Management
Community Partners
Capital Factory
Collide Village
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center
wework
Media Partners
JUDGES
Fall 2018
Tan France has been a successful fashion designer behind the scenes for over 15 years, and now steps into the spotlight as the star of Emmy winning makeover hit, and Netflix reboot, “Queer Eye”. Surrounded by an all new cast, France is the witty wardrobe wiz leading the charge in the fashion department and is ready to make America fabulous again one makeover at a time.
Samantha Colletti is a Senior Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank where she focuses on providing comprehensive debt and credit solutions to a variety of technology companies in the DFW area. She has spent the last 7 years working with startups and venture-backed companies and is an active member of the Dallas technology community.
Bryan DeLuca is the Vice President of Marketing and Consumer Engagement at Bioworld, the leading licensed pop-culture apparel and accessories manufacturer, where he oversees a suite of ecommerce brands and innovations. He’s been on Shark Tank, featured in Forbes, nominated for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and also the former CEO and proud papa of Foot Cardigan.
Nate Nelson is a Senior Director with Point B, a management consulting and venture capital firm that helps companies form, execute, and thrive. Throughout his career, Nate has had the opportunity to work with a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from Fortune 50 to early-stage startups.
Rebecca Poynter, M.J., is a public relations professional with a background in tech and infrastructure. Her experience includes corporate communications for AT&T Wireless and disaster response for F.E.M.A. She is a UT Dallas alum and co-founder of OnPoynt Aerial Solutions.
Alex Robertson is a Associate, Capital Markets And Mergers & Acquisitions at Vinson & Elkins LLP. His principal area of practice is corporate finance and securities law, including securities offerings, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate representation.
Jason is a Texas-based investor and serial entrepreneur. He co-founded Interlock Partners, a Dallas-based Venture Capital firm, in 2016. He serves as the principal investor in a number of startups in Austin and Dallas and is very involved in product development and strategy. His passion for growing startups took flight when co-founding one of the largest mobile consulting agencies, Mutual Mobile. Prior to Mutual Mobile, Jason built an IT services and security firm, Gravity Technical, which was acquired by White Glove Technologies, a Best Buy company.
Fall 2019
Fall 2019 Judges to be announced.
WINNERS
Fall 2018
Student Pitch Competition Awards
1st Place: SurviVR
2nd Place: Cyto PDMS
3rd Place: Sahai
Entrepreneurship Awards
Best Undergraduate Pitch: ThreadAI
Innovate(Her): Code Blue Jewelry
Biggest Social Impact: SeeBoost
Biggest Idea: Aireal Geospatial AR
UT Design Startup Challenge
ThreadAI
Sahai
Hobo Loco
PHOTOS
2018
2017
If you are interested in or have any questions about Big Idea Competition, please contact:
