Competitions

A DYNAMIC, ACTION-PACKED EVENT FOR STUDENT STARTUPS AND STUDENT-RUN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

- FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH -

Compete, Get Noticed, Learn From The Best
The SURGE Competition Day is tailored for the ambitious and creative minds of student startups and Student-Run Business Organizations (SRBOs) alike. Join our pitch competitions and hackathon to pave your path and build relationships that help you succeed.


Pitch Competitions

Student-Run Startup Track

  • For early-stage ideas, focusing on concept validation and initial growth potential, or startups ready to scale, emphasizing business development and market readiness. Judges will be experienced founders and VCs with the ability to invest in the right idea.

    The purpose of the Student-Run Startup Track is to showcase student startups to conference attendees and community investors, and to provide opportunities for you to earn recognition, practice, improve, and build the team of operators, advisors and supporters that will enable you to succeed. This is our first year and prizes will be minimal, though participants and winners will be celebrated live and through social media.

    • Student-Run Startup Cup: The most compelling 4-minute pitch and 2-minute Q&A wins the Cup and a small cash prize. Click “Pitch” below to sign up and see our criteria and process.

    • Pitch for Feedback: Provide your 4-minute pitch outside of the competition format for feedback from top Silicon Valley VCs.

Student-Run Business Track



Hackathon

-Show Your Skills & Find Your People!

  • (1:30pm -5:00pm) Open Invite Sprint Hackathon and Product Pitch: For students that competed in the morning and those looking to build relationships or find their next startup idea. You do not need to code, but it could help - be creative!. Judges will be experienced founders and VCs with the ability to invest in the right idea, and the challenge(s) will be presented LIVE by our investor sponsors.

    The purpose of the Hackathon is to have fun working on interesting problems, while you showcase your skills and meet incredible people. This is our first year and prizes will be minimal, though participants and winners will be celebrated live and through social media. 


GET STARTED TODAY

  • Enter the Arena: Apply today, get feedback in 3 days or less, and update your pitch later!

  • Seeking Advisors: Apply to advise student teams as they prepare for the competition and beyond.