The inaugural IU Idea to Startup Pitch Competition, presented by IU Research and IU Innovation and Commercialization Office, is launching in fall 2022 to provide an opportunity for IU faculty, students and staff to showcase their early-stage startup ideas while receiving real-world insights from a panel of industry experts and judges.
Winners will receive a combination of cash prizes, totaling $25,000, and in-kind services to be used towards the formation of IU startups.
"We are thrilled to support IU entrepreneurs in early stage planning to turn an idea or discovery into potential big impact," said Hanping Guan, director of entrepreneurship at the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office. "Every successful company starts with an idea. Our team will work with IU entrepreneurs to develop those ideas and help transform them into innovative solutions."
All current faculty, staff and students with early-stage startup ideas are eligible to apply. Ideas originating from IU research will receive priority consideration.
Ten finalists will be selected to present their ideas to a panel of fellow entrepreneurs, investors and experienced judges, on October 13, 2022, at The Mill.
IU Innovation and Commercialization Office will work closely with all finalists and connect them with members of regional and national entrepreneurial ecosystems to facilitate IU startup formation.
To apply, participants should submit business idea to ico@iu.edu. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2022. Application guidelines are available online.
