Think Speed Pitch Night and matchmaking, rolled into one evening. Got an idea? You’ll get sixty seconds on the mic to pitch it to the room. Don’t have one yet? Work one of the open challenge tracks brought by defense and industry partners instead. Either way, you leave having joined a team — and with six weeks to build before you show it off.
How it Works
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Pitch or Pick a Challenge
- Bring your own idea to the mic, or choose from open problem tracks sponsored by defense and industry partners.
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Form a Team That Night
- Cadets, engineers, MBAs, and first-time founders team up on the spot — no team required to walk in the door.
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Six Weeks With a Coach
- Every team is matched with a Startup Coach and gets the chance to practice at Friday Pitches along the way.
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Showcase November 13th
- Present your work at the Defense Innovation Challenge Demo Day, part of a national security conference at Mendoza.
Prizes
- All teams will be entered into the McCloskey New Venture Competiton.
- Boeing Prize: This prize is valued at $5000 and awarded to the top challenge team at Demo Day
Who Should Come
Everyone is welcomed to this event. ROTC cadets, student veterans, engineers, Mendoza students, ESTEEM students — or anyone curious about national security innovation. Bring a fully-formed idea or just your curiosity.
Every team gets a Startup Coach, and you’ll be mentored throughout the build by veteran entrepreneurs, including Jim Hunt of Lavrock Ventures.
Originally published at ideacenter.nd.edu.