BU SHA Hospitality Innovation Competition | $50k Prize & Student Ventures

It all starts with an idea. In the spirit of Experience Innovation, Boston University School of Hospitality Administration offers two Innovation Competitions: $50k Hospitality Innovation Competition and the $20k Student Wellbeing Competition, providing Boston University students an opportunity to pitch ideas for new ventures within the hospitality industry that embrace innovative ways to solve problems and create value for all stakeholders.

Questions? Contact Barry Horwitz, SHA Director of Innovation, at bhorwitz@bu.edu

Key Dates

Competition Opens: December 5, 2025
Deadline for Submissions: January 30, 2026
Finals & Awards at the Hospitality Leadership Summit: Friday, April 10, 2026

Information Sessions

Thursday, November 6
Time: 4:00-5:00pm

Location: Hosted on Zoom

https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/96319796956?pwd=XyhMJYvpZo3wNPOKbIWu3aIhG8VzSK.1

Meeting ID: 963 1979 6956

Passcode: 369195

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Thursday, November 20
Time: 12:30pm-2:00 pm

Location: Hosted at Innovate@BU’s “Casual Space”

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$50k Hospitality Innovation Competition

This competition welcomes all innovative ideas for new ventures focused on the hospitality industry.

1st Place Prize – $25,000
2nd Place Prize – $15,000
3rd Place Prize – $10,000

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$20k Student Wellbeing Competition

This competition focuses on innovative ideas and initiatives that promote the social wellbeing of students at Boston University. Ventures are evaluated on creativity, novelty, reach, and feasibility of implementation. The competition is made possible through partnerships across campus, with funding provided by BU Student Wellbeing, School of Hospitality Administration, Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, School of Social Work, and College of Communication.

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These Innovation Competitions are just two of several exciting initiatives offered at BU SHA. We also host the Hospitality Real Estate Competition , where students from across the country create innovative solutions to real-world hospitality challenges.