Applications are now open for the Blackstone LaunchPad Ideas Competition. The fun-filled “Startup in a Day” event will be Friday, October 7, from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Whitman Atrium (Grand Flaum Hall), 721 University Ave. The competition is entirely designed and managed by Syracuse LaunchPad peer mentors who will also be on-site to work with students through the afternoon activities.
It is open to all SU full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. Syracuse University campus winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize in each track ($4,000 total in prizes). The four winners will join finalists from each school in the Blackstone LaunchPad network for a national round of the competition, for the chance to win a $10,000 prize.
The four tracks are
- Climate Impact
- Health & Life Sciences
- Consumer Products Services
- General
Have you noticed a problem at school, at home, or in your community that you want to solve? Have you imagined solutions and creative new systems to major problems but been frustrated at not knowing where to start?
Designed specifically for students with no prior experience, the Ideas Competition is a simple way to get your toes wet and see if entrepreneurship could be right for you. This event will help you explore entrepreneurship and build entrepreneurial skills with the help of the Syracuse LaunchPad. With a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, the Ideas Competition especially encourages students from underrepresented and under-resourced communities, from all majors offered on campus, and students who represent multiple genders and ethnicities.
Here is a quick peek at the schedule:
- 12:30 p.m. – Arrival, networking and sign up
- 1 to 1:25 p.m. – Welcome and ice breakers
- 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. – Brainstorming and formulation of ideas with the help of LaunchPad mentors
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Lightning pitches
- 3:30 to 4 p.m. – Snack break and judges deliberate
- 4 p.m. – Judges announce winners of the four $1,000 cash prizes
https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7PedS3oTEwwuNEO
Email akim24@syr.edu if you have questions or need help with the application.