IU Idea to Startup Pitch Competition 2023
October 5, 2023 | 9 AM - 12 PM | The Mill
Hosted by IU Research and IU Innovation and Commercialization Office, in partnership with The Mill
Every successful company starts with an idea. An idea can be developed and transformed into an innovative solution as well as a startup business. As a leading research and educational institution, IU generates many revolutionary ideas from its faculty, staff and students. To catalyze the transformation from idea to market solution and impact, IU Research and IU Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO) organized the IU Idea to Startup Pitch Competition during Innovation Week at The Mill.
How It Works
The IU Idea to Startup Pitch Competition provides an opportunity for IU faculty, staff and students to showcase their startup ideas and receive real-world insights from a panel of industry experts and judges. The top six teams (or individuals) will be selected to present their ideas to a panel of fellow entrepreneurs, investors and experienced judges. Each participant will deliver a five-minute pitch, followed by a five-minute Q&A session. The selection of those six participants advancing to the finals will be at the sole discretion of ICO. Ideas originating from IU research and with IU IP will receive priority consideration.
Prizes
The top three winners will receive cash awards to be used towards the formation of an IU startup with certain terms and conditions. As an in-kind sponsor, The Mill will offer three and six-month part-time coworking memberships for all members of the winning teams.
- First place prize: $15,000 & six-month part-time coworking membership at The Mill
- Second place prize: $10,000 & three-month part-time coworking membership at The Mill
- Third place prize $5,000 & three-month part-time coworking membership at The Mill
In addition, IU Innovation and Commercialization Office will work with all participants and connect them with members of regional and national entrepreneurial ecosystems to facilitate IU startup formation. The winners will be required to meet with the Innovation and Commercialization team within a month from the pitch competition to discuss next steps on their startup formation.
How to Apply
IU Idea to Startup competition is open to all current IU faculty, staff and students interested in forming a startup. Ideas pertaining to IU research will receive priority consideration. To apply, please submit a non-confidential executive summary of your business idea that addresses the following questions:
- The Problem: What problem are you solving? Why does this need to be solved?
- The Solution and Customer: What is your solution? Who is the solution for?
- Competitive Landscape: What are the current solutions and competitors in the space?
- Unique Value Proposition: Why is your solution unique and valuable for the customer?
Include applicant’s name (s) and contact info in your submission. The top six teams will be selected to advance to the final pitch competition by September 8, 2023. More information will be provided prior to the final pitch event on October 5, 2023.
Submit your idea to ico@iu.edu by September 1, 2023.
*The Program is a voluntary program meant to engage current Indiana University faculty, staff and students. Participants understand that all discussions related to participation in the Program maintained during the course of the Program are non-confidential and are shared and discussed freely and voluntarily without expectations of any kind. By submitting their ideas, Participants understand and agree that the Organizer assumes no responsibility in ensuring the confidentiality of any information disclosed during the Program and that Participants are solely responsible for any potential disclosures of confidential information.