OVERVIEW
The Big Idea Competition (BIC) is hosted annually by the Institute for 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.
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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 Due: October 12, 2018
Semi Finals: October 26, 2018
Finals: November 12, 2018
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SPONSORS
Title Sponsors
Signature Sponsors
University 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.
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 Inc., 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.
Jason Story is a partner at Interlock Partners. He is a Texas based investor and serial entrepreneur. He started Hangar Ventures, a Dallas-based Venture Capital firm, in 2015. He serves as the principal investor in a number of startups in Austin and Dallas and is very involved in product development and strategy.
Wesley Watts Council, Mergers and Acquisitions and Venture Capital at Vinson & Elkins LLP. His practice focuses on representing entrepreneurs and venture capital investors in the formation, financing and operation of technology and growth companies.
CONTACT
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