Deadline:
October 01, 2025
Program Starts: March 27, 2026
Program Ends: March 28, 2026
Location(s)
United States of America
Baylor University Waco, Texas
Overview
The John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise will host the 14th Annual Baylor New Venture Competition (NVC) on March 27-28 at Baylor University's Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. Applications for the competition are open Aug. 1 through Oct. 1. This business plan and elevator pitch competition showcases collegiate student created, managed and led ventures from across the globe.
Details
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 more than $200,000 in cash prizes and vital resources.
Since its inception, more than 800 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 NVC finalists have had additional successes beyond the BNVC. Most notably, Orai (2018 second-place winner) and Nanodropper (2019 top-10 finalist) were both named to the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30. In 2024, Heartio (2022 first place winner) was also recognized by Forbes 30 under 30.
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 NVC is successful because of the support from hundreds of experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders and partners.
2026 BNVC Competition Important Dates
NVC Applicant Round One: Executive Summary (Online): Aug. 1, 2025 - Oct. 1, 2025
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 Oct. 1, 2025. The top 50 teams will be notified of advancement to the next round.
NVC Round Two: Business Plan (Online): Nov. 17, 2025 - Jan. 19, 2026
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 21, 2026. The top 10 finalist teams will be assigned a mentor and will compete in the competition finals at Baylor University.
NVC Pre-Competition Activities (In Person, at Baylor University): Friday, March 27, 2026
Kickoff events and feedback sessions
NVC Finals (In Person, at Baylor University): Saturday, March 28, 2026
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.
NVC Elevator Pitch Competition and Awards Banquet (In Person, at Baylor University): Saturday, March 28, 2026
- 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.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
The 2025 Baylor New Venture Competition is open to all not-for-profit accredited university students and recent alumni. There is no limit to the number of teams from a single university that may apply.
To be eligible for the competition, your team must:
- Have 2 - 4 team members.
- Be current students (undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate) or have graduated May 2018 or later.
- Have at least one member that is a current full-time university student; undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate.
- Designate a point-of-contact person responsible for communication with competition organizers.
- Have team members that hold fundamental, equity-holding positions within the company and have a combined ownership of at least 25% of the founder's equity in the company.
- Not have members on multiple teams in the competition.
- Be present during the entire competition and at the time of the prize presentations to be eligible for prizes.
Business plans submitted by teams should be for ventures that are:
- Early stage
- For-profit
- Potentially seeking initial investment capital
Submissions should not include:
- Buy-Outs
- Entity Expansions
- Real Estate Ventures
- Not-For-Profits
- Subsidiaries
- Recapitalizations
Dates
Deadline: October 01, 2025
Program starts:
March 27, 2026
Program ends:
March 28, 2026
Program Starts: March 27, 2026
Program Ends: March 28, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
2026 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
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
