Compete

Compete for funding

The New Venture Challenge

NVC offers a variety of opportunities for you to develop and share your ideas!

About the New Venture Challenge (NVC)

Ranked 15th among U.S. collegiate entrepreneurship competitions and a signature program of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative, NVC is the heart of CU Boulder's entrepreneurship engine. During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, teams can win a share of $325,000 and pitch to a live audience at the Boulder Theater.

Who can participate?

Everyone at CU Boulder is invited to participate; students, faculty, and staff. NVC participants can earn a microcredential while gaining experience in creating a startup venture.

How Does it Work?

Participants can compete in one of two NVC categories:

  • Deep Tech Category – NVC and Venture Partners at CU Boulder host this category for ventures based on scientific or technological innovations developed using fundamental scientific disciplines.
  • Open Category – For ventures not meeting the Deep Tech criteria.
⚠ Registration for the 2025 New Venture Challenge is closed. Plan to join us for the NVC Finals at the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, April 23!

Learn More about NVC

Join a venture or find partners

Are you interested in joining a venture that is competing or looking for partners to join your competing venture? 

Learn more about how to build your team.

Build Your Team 

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Additional NVC Competitions

Women Founders Competition

NVC and the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship partner to host this additional competition for ventures founded by women.

⚠ Registration for the 2025 competition closes on March 9.

Learn More

⚠ The 2025 Women Founders Competition Finals are on March 20!

RSVP Today! 

Social Impact NVC

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative hosts this offshoot of NVC, where teams can win up to $5,000. First and second place teams have automatic acceptance into the July Sea Change Accelerator Cohort.

⚠ Registration for SINVC 2025 has closed. The winners will be announced on April 7!

Learn More

High School NVC

The High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC) is an entrepreneurial competition designed specifically for Colorado high school students in support of entrepreneurial learning. HSNVC is designed to help the next generation of innovators think creatively, identify opportunities, build confidence and develop solutions to real-world challenges. Student teams can compete for more than $25,000 in scholarship funding to apply towards future tuition at CU!

⚠ Registration for HSNVC 2025 has closed. 

Learn More 

⚠ Join us for the HSNVC Finals, scheduled for April 12!

RSVP Today!

Additional Opportunities

In addition to our CU Boulder competitions, you might be interested in the following external opportunities: