New Venture Competition
In 2024, the annual Baylor New Venture Competition will align with the Baylor Innovation Conference for an exciting, venture-focused weekend. This new collaboration, the Baylor Innovation Bridge, will celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship with a purpose to inform, inspire, involve and influence.
The inaugural event will strive to connect community, academia and collegiate entrepreneurs by building relationships through exclusive networking, informative workshops, expert panels, funding opportunities, business showcases and pitches.
Baylor New Venture Competition - A Transformative Experience
The John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise will host the twelfth annual Baylor New Venture Competition on March 22-23 at Baylor University's Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. Applications for the competition are open now through November 5. This business plan and elevator pitch competition showcases collegiate student created, managed and led ventures from across the globe. The competition provides participants with personal and professional development through:
- industry-specific mentorship towards sustainable business plans,
- exclusive access to accomplished experts and fellow innovators,
- and a chance to compete for over $250,000 in cash prizes and vital resources.
Since its inception, more than 600 student entrepreneurs world-wide have applied to compete in the competition. Nearly $1 million in cash and prizes has been awarded to these collegiate entrepreneurs. Several BNVC finalists have had additional successes beyond the BNVC. Most notably, Orai (2018 second place winner) and Nanodropper (2019 top-ten finalist) were both named to the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30.
Please direct all questions via email to newventurecomp@baylor.edu.
About the Baylor New Venture Competition
The Baylor New Venture Competition is underwritten by an anonymous gift to Baylor University and the Hankamer School of Business. The differentiator between this competition and others is the focus on encouraging student entrepreneurs worldwide to catalyze and grow their business.
Applicants will receive expert advice throughout the competition cycle:
- Executive Summary Feedback
- Business Plan Feedback
- One-on-One Mentorship
- Rounds of Pitch Coaching
- Feedback Sessions
- Final Presentation Feedback
The day of finals will include pitch presentations with judge Q&A, networking, a business showcase, audience participation and awards.
The Baylor New Venture Competition is successful because of the support from hundreds of experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders and partners.
2024 BNVC Prizes and Awards
BNVC Awards
- First Place: $50,000 Cash + In-kind awards
- Second Place: $25,000 Cash + In-kind awards
- Third Place: $10,000 Cash + In-kind awards
- Honorable Mention (4th - 10th): $1,500 Cash + In-kind awards
*In-kind awards can include website hosting, various consultations, co-working space, legal services and more.
BNVC Elevator Pitch Awards
- 1st Place - $1,500 cash
- 2nd Place - $1,000 cash
- 3rd Place - $500 cash
Baylor Innovation Bridge Elevator Pitch Competition Awards
- Best Stage Presence - $500 cash
- Most Fundable Idea - $500 cash
2024 BNVC Eligibility
The 2024 Baylor New Venture Competition is open to teams of not-for-profit accredited university students and recent alumni around the world. There is no limit to the number of teams from a single university that may apply. For further information on team eligibility, visit the 2024 official guidebook linked in the application.
2024 BNVC Competition Important Dates
BNVC Applicant Round One: Executive Summary (Online): September 1, 2023 - November 5, 2023
Teams submit a two-page Executive Summary of their business concept and verification of student status. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. (CST) on November 1, 2023. The top-50 teams will be notified of advancement to the next round.
BNVC Round Two: Business Plan (Online): December 11, 2023 - January 16, 2024
The top-50 teams will submit a full business plan, cap table, verification of establishment of a legal entity and tax forms by 11:59 p.m. (CST) on January 16, 2023. The top-ten finalist teams will be assigned a mentor and will compete in the competition finals at Baylor University.
Baylor Innovation Conference (In Person, at Baylor University): Friday, March 22, 2024
BNVC Pre-Competition Activities (In Person, at Baylor University): Friday, March 22, 2024
Kickoff events and feedback sessions
Baylor Innovation Bridge Elevator Pitch Competition and Dinner (In Person, at Baylor University): Friday, March 22, 2024
BNVC Finals (In Person, at Baylor University): Saturday, March 23, 2024
Top-ten finalist teams will be randomly chosen to present to a panel of judges. Judges will score each team and will record feedback comments.
BNVC Elevator Pitch Competition and Awards Banquet (In Person, at Baylor University): Saturday, March 23, 2024
Round One: A member from each team will present their 90-second pitch for audience polling. The top-five teams will advance.
Round Two: A different member from the top-five teams will present their 90-second pitch for audience polling. The top-three winners will be chosen according to the number of votes from the audience.
