OVERVIEW
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OVERVIEW
Learn More
APPLY AND 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.
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Application for the Big Idea Competition has now closed.
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
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 the significant social impact
Biggest Idea: $5,000
Open to students, alumni, faculty or staff who have developed or are working on a 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 Fall 2019
SPONSORS
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
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.
WINNERS
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
CONTACT
If you are interested in or have any questions about Big Idea Competition, please contact:
