The short answer is: yes! Our past participants spanned everything from an undergraduate in psychology to a freshly minted Ph.D. student. If you’re at all passionate about startups, it is likely that you will be a valuable participant.

You are encouraged to come with a business idea – no matter how developed it is. However, don’t worry if you don’t have a business idea – just contribute your skills, drive, experience and networks as part of a team working on an idea.

No! Contribute your skills, drive, experience and networks as part of a team that will form at the event.

All meals, drinks and in-between snacks are catered. Those participating in the challenge without enrolling in the pop-up class will pay $10 to cover food in the event registration. If you enroll in the pop-up class, you won’t have any additional event registration cost for food.

The worst-case scenario is that you will work with brilliant people from numerous disciplines toward the common goal of building real companies and products. Whether you’re learning a new skill or a new way of thinking, the challenge offers the perfect opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and learn by doing. Great connections happen: cofounders meet, complementary skill sets collide and friends are made. The best-case scenario is that you will become a cofounder of a wildly successful new startup and go on to win the university’s New Venture Competition in April.