Business Idea Competition

2025 Business Idea Competition Orientation Sessions: 

• Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 3:00 pm in de Francesco, Room 106
• Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 11:00 am in de Francesco, Room 106

Submit your business idea here by October 6, 2025 (see Competition Rules).

Finalists will be notified via email by October 22, 2025

November 19, 2025: KU Business Idea Competition, 5:00 p.m. in de Francesco, Room 101
(Finalists present their ideas to a panel of judges) 

1. Competition is open to all current KU undergraduate students.
2. Students may compete individually or as a team (not to exceed 4 members).
3. Submit a written business idea (only one submission per student or team, 2-3 typed pages).
4. Please comply with the Submission Guidelines.
5. Finalists will compete via a 3-5 minute live presentation before a panel of judges, followed by 3 minutes of Q&A.
6. Professional attire required for all finalists.

1. Submit a written description of your idea for a business or non-profit organization in the form of a 2-3 page typed paper in Times New Roman font (12 pt) double spaced with 1" margins.
2. Also include a cover page with the name of the business and the name(s) and the student ID(s) of the student(s).
3. Save your Word document with your first and last name and your student ID number.
4. Each submission must reflect a new business idea.
5. Each submission should contain the following:
   • Name of Business
   • What is the real-world goal of your business?
   • Who will be your target market?
   • Describe the type of business (on-line, service based, manufacturing, non-profit organization, etc.)... Explain.
   • Describe how you will promote and market the product or service.
   • How will the business be financed?
   • What will be the structure of your organization? (Sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or non-profit)

1. Visit the Small Business Development Center's Pitch Then Plan page.
2. Become a Small Business Development Center client using this form.
3. For help with professional attire visit the Career Development Center Career Closet.