New Venture Competition

No! Early-stage ideas are welcome. The competition is designed to support ventures at various stages of development. Whether you have just an idea or an existing prototype, you are encouraged to apply.

No, each team or individual is limited to submitting one application. We encourage you to focus your efforts on your strongest idea.

Yes! Solo founders are encouraged to apply even without a team. While building a team is beneficial, it is not required to qualify.

Choose the track that best aligns with your primary goal. If your venture has a strong for-profit model but also delivers social impact, you may still apply to the General Track. The Social Impact Track is for ventures with an explicit mission to address systemic issues.

Not at all! The competition is open to participants of all backgrounds, including those who are new to entrepreneurship. Coaching and resources are available to guide you throughout the process.

The criteria for the Application Round differ slightly from the criteria for the in-person pitch rounds. During the Application Round, teams are evaluated primarily on their idea's potential, clarity, feasibility, and alignment with their chosen track (General or Social Impact). For the in-person Semi-Finals and Finals, the criteria will also consider presentation skills, the strength of the business model, and how effectively the team addresses feedback or questions from judges. A detailed rubric for each round will be released by December 18th, 2024, on our website. We encourage all participants to check back for updates to better understand what judges will be looking for at each stage.

Notifications will be sent via email. Timely communication is crucial—respond to emails within 48 hours or risk disqualification.

Yes. Semi-Finals, Finals, and Innovators' Night require full participation as listed on the program's schedule.

In-person participation is required for the semi-finals and finals. If you cannot attend, your team will be disqualified. We recommend ensuring at least one team member can commit to the required dates before applying.

Judges evaluate teams based on the quality of their idea, the strength of their business model, and their pitch presentation. Specific criteria will be shared during the coaching sessions to help you prepare effectively.

Yes, international students are welcome to participate as long as they meet all eligibility criteria and are actively enrolled at BU or are Class of 2024 alumni.

Attend one of the info sessions or Q&A drop-ins listed above to get your questions answered. You can also email innopath@bu.edu for additional support.