Home Of The Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge

e-Fest | Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Competition
More than just a business competition.
The undergraduate business competition designed to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit.

$220K in cash prizes

Take home a portion of over $220K in cash prizes across four competitions to help launch your business.

Development grants

Receive up to $2,500 to support entrepreneurship related programs and activities at your school.

Travel stipends

Up to $3,750 in travel stipends offered for airfare, hotel and meals during the event in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Networking

Network with other top student entrepreneurs and industry professionals from across the nation.

Learn from leaders

Attend professional development workshops led by seasoned experts from around the country.

Get recognized

Get your ideas out there by connecting, sharing and collaborating with peers and industry leaders.

Meet the Winners of e-Fest 2024!

MabLab

Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge
Grand Champion – $50,000

Yanie Eyewear

Pitch Slam!
1st Place – $10,000

Fetal Therapy Technologies

Global Impact Award
Awardee – $5,000

Inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit

The undergraduate start-up world is hugely competitive and often restricted to a few select students from select universities. e-Fest changes that. We believe your venture deserves the opportunity to be showcased on a national stage. That’s why e-Fest offers cash prizes, connections, workshops and media coverage to help young entrepreneurs pursue the next level and inspire the entrepreneurial spirit.

e-Fest is a dynamic, three-day event that has awarded more than $1.5M dollars to nearly 500 undergraduates, representing more than 60 majors, from universities all across the country. Some students study entrepreneurship, e-Fest encourages all students to bring entrepreneurship to their discipline.

Nov 15 – Jan 31

Apply for a Development Grant

Jan 8 – Mar 3

Submit Your Pitch

Mar 18 / Mar 21

Finalists Notified / Announced

Apr 24 – Apr 26

e-Fest 2025

Over $1.5M Awarded to Undergraduate Business Ventures

e-Fest was created to give undergraduate students just like you the opportunity to compete with your peers and pitch your business ideas on a national stage. Since 2017, we’ve granted over $1.5M to teams from all over the nation.

Considering applying to e-Fest 2025? Here’s what to do

1

Decide to go for it!

Take your business idea to the next level and commit to applying to complete at e-Fest 2025!

2

Create your pitch deck & video!

Start working on your pitch deck and video now. Don’t forget to check the Download Library for great resources!

3

Submit your pitch to e-Fest 2023!

Save the date and be ready to apply when submissions open on January 8, 2025.

Students, avoid making the judges cringe when you present your business pitch!

If you want to stand out at e-Fest, you need to have a memorable pitch — but not one that makes the judges cringe. Download our exclusive guide, How to Avoid Making a Cringy Pitch: 10 tips from an e-Fest judge, for tips on creating a pitch that will “wow” the judges.

Advisors, e-Fest can help put your entrepreneurship program on the map!

As a guiding force for the next generation of change-makers, we understand the crucial role you play in shaping the future of business. Download our exclusive guide, Roadmap to e-Fest, to learn how to get the most out of e-Fest for your students, your program and your institution.

Student or advisor? Get ahead of the competition with an exclusive resource just for you!

Student or Advisor(Required)

e-Fest email sign up banner
The start-up world is competitive and, despite support from peers and advisors, you might not feel like you have what it takes to propel your business idea to the next level.
 
Most entrepeneurs feel discouraged at some point. What differentiates succesful founders is the guts to take a chance on their ideas and learn from their failures.
 
The truth is, not every idea will result in a fortune 500 business. But gaining confidence in the entrepreneurial process will inspire you to champion your own ideas and ultimately pitch them for success.
Type your search here

e-Fest email sign up banner

Student or advisor? Get ahead of the competition with an exclusive resource just for you!

Student or Advisor(Required)

e-Fest email sign up banner

Student or advisor? Get ahead of the competition with an exclusive resource just for you!

Student or Advisor(Required)