Student Competition
DEADLINE - Monday, September 15, 2025, 5PM EST
Students who are enrolled in at least 12 credits at a university or community college, at any degree level, are eligible to compete for cash prizes that total $8,000!
If chosen to present, students need to be onsite on Thursday, October 30 from 9am to 4pm to present their business idea at the George Mason University’s Arlington campus.
The Accelerate Student Competition will provide college and university students with the opportunity to meet and interact with the innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment community. It’s a great opportunity for students to dip their toe in the startup and venture capital ecosystems.
The Accelerate Student Competition is designed to inspire students to take a business idea, plot out its journey, and engage with a community of entrepreneurs in order to identify resources and investments for their business idea to succeed.
Through the competition, students will engage in creative business brainstorming, practice effective communication, develop collaborative abilities, and interact with business leaders across the community.
This year’s theme is completely open.
Pitch us your concept on how you’ll disrupt business and improve the world!
STUDENT APPLICATION – Two deliverables
- The abstract should be short (250-500 words), and include answers to the following questions:
- What is the pain point / problem you are trying to solve?
- How are you trying to solve it?
- Link to a 3 minute max video with their business idea.
PLEASE NOTE:
Students need to be onsite on Wednesday, November 5, from 9am to 4pm to present their business idea at the George Mason University’s Arlington Campus at Mason Square, 3351 N. Fairfax Drive.
