Bring Your Business to Life
The New Venture Competition is a showcase of entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and competition. All ventures created, run, and owned by University of Nebraska–Lincoln students* are invited to compete. During the two day event, undergraduate and graduate students pitch their business plans to a panel of judges and field questions based on feasibility, market potential, financial projections and more. Judge panels are comprised of founders and professionals in the entrepreneurship space who are dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship in Nebraska and beyond.
*Alumni who graduated within a year of the competition (May 2024 or after) are invited to compete in the traditional bracket.
April 11 and 15, 2025
Howard L. Hawks Hall and Rococo Theater (140 N 13th St Lincoln, NE 68508)
Registration is Closed.
How It Works
The New Venture Competition uses a bracket style (3 rounds, knockout elimination) competition. Teams advance through two preliminary rounds on Day 1. Following those two rounds, four teams will compete against one another on Day 2. One grand prize of $15,000 will be awarded, as well as cash prizes for 2nd-4th place. Prizes will be awarded immediately following the competition during the awards reception. Feedback from the finals judges will be available.
Finalist teams may have the opportunity for further investment up to $25,000 from the Husker Venture Fund, a student-led venture fund that provides early stage capital to startups.
Thomas G. Guy Startup Team Award
Awarded to the team demonstrating the best organization and collaboration
$2,500
Advanced Traction Bracket
Teams must report if they have competed in prior University of Nebraska–Lincoln competitions AND been awarded $7,500 or more (total across all competitions). Following a completed registration indicating the $7,500 award criteria applies to them, teams will be notified that they have been placed in the Advanced Traction Bracket. If a team fails to notify the Center for Entrepreneurship that they meet the Advanced Traction Bracket criteria, they will be disqualified from the competition and from future competitions. Teams presenting the same business more than once will be limited to two New Venture Competition experiences, once in the traditional bracket and once in the Advanced Traction Bracket. The Advanced Traction Bracket will take place only if two or more qualified teams register to compete within the same year.
Advanced Traction Bracket teams will not compete during rounds one and two. Placement in this bracket automatically advances the team to the final round of competition on day two where they’ll compete against one another. These presentations will occur before the traditional bracket presentations, during a morning session.
Advanced Traction Bracket teams are required to submit their business plan for judge review one week prior to their presentation. Teams should provide a high-level view of the business and presentations must include these elements and/or be prepared to answer these questions from judges:
- Present a robust financial analysis, including projections, revenue and profit when compared to the last time the team competed
- Include details about venture updates, pivots and changes when compared to the last time the team competed
- Provide updates regarding competitors and customers when compared to the last time the team competed and consequent marketing strategy adjustments
- Provide information about defined roles and organizational structure and any gaps that exist within both
- Provide short (within the next year) and long (2-3 years) term plans
- Address what worked, what didn't work, and how the team pivoted
- Give a 5-minute presentation following the traditional bracket competition during the afternoon of day 2. This presentation should be a very brief overview of the business as it is today and is not intended to feel like a pitch. Basically, tell the audience who you are, what you're doing, why you're doing it, and what help you might need.
There will be no defined First, Second, Third, etc. place prior to the competition. These placings, and associated prize money, will be determined solely by the judges on competition day and may vary from year to year. Advanced Traction Bracket teams will be awarded their place/prize money during the Entrepreneur Award Celebration along with the traditional bracket teams.
Advanced Traction Bracket is open only to current students.
Workshops
The Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship offers workshop sessions to help you with your business plan, pitch, and any other questions you may have. See the schedule, location and topics below. Workshops are optional, but highly recommended and no RSVP is required.
Office Hours
March 25, 5 p.m. | HLH 315
Bring any questions or requests for help, regardless of topic. Faculty and staff will be available to assist.
Open Pitch Night
March 27, 5 p.m. | HLH 315
Practice your pitch and get feedback from peers and faculty.
New Venture 101 With the Director
April 1, 2 p.m. | Via Zoom
Pitching, Business Plans and Customer Discovery
Effectively Calculate & Communicate Your Numbers
April 2, 2 p.m. | Via Zoom
(Financials, Market Size, etc.)
Pitch Deck Success
April 8, 2 p.m. | Via Zoom
Office Hours
April 9, 5 p.m. | HLH 315
Bring any questions or requests for help, regardless of topic. Faculty and staff will be available to assist.