This year’s Family Weekend kicks off with a “Shark-Tank” style competition featuring idea pitches by student innovators to a panel of distinguished parent entrepreneurs, innovators and investors. On-line applications are now open through October 4 for the competition on Friday afternoon, October 16. This year’s event will offer $10,000 in prizes sponsored by a generous donor who is a SU parent, investor and entrepreneur.
The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students from all academic program areas who are working on ideas for new products, services, technologies or impact ventures. Cash awards will be determined by the judges to help students take ideas to the next stage such as prototype, incorporation, proof of concept, or other business need. Beyond the seed funding for the ideas, feedback from successful entrepreneur parent judges who have launched successful ventures will help strengthen business models for major campus, state and national competitions in spring 2021.
The event is coordinated by the Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars, in conjunction with Syracuse University Libraries and the SU Parents Office.
Want more info? E-mail us at LaunchPad@syr.edu