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.

Meet the Winners of e-Fest 2023!

OnPoint Ventilation

Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge
Grand Champion – $50,000

Chemo Chemical Solutions

Pitch Slam!
1st Place – $10,000

Elythea

Social and Global Impact Awards
Awardee – $20,000

$215K in cash prizes

Take home a portion of $215K 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.

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.

Oct 15 – Feb 1

Apply for a Development Grant

Feb 17 – Mar 12

Submit Your Pitch

Mar 28 / Apr 3

Finalists Notified / Announced

Apr 27 – Apr 29

e-Fest 2023

Over $1.2M 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 2023? 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 2023!

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 February 17, 2023.

Level Up Your Pitch!

Want to improve your pitch skills? Download these tips from an e-Fest judge to take your presentation to the next level!

cover of PDF with tips on how to make a business pitch
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.
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