Build real-world skills while competing for impactful prizes
Each academic year, the Institute hosts three consecutive business competitions: the Ideas Competition, the Little Bang! Pitch+Poster Competition, and the Big Bang! Business Competition. Designed to emulate the process of building a startup from an idea, the series of competitions begins by inviting students to simply propose an idea, and the sequential competitions build from there. We encourage people of all backgrounds and knowledge areas to participate in these competitions as they provide a hands-on learning opportunity to develop essential business knowledge, practice design thinking, and cultivate a collaborative network.
Explore Possibilities with the Ideas Competition
Share your initial ideas for products, services, or businesses that can solve problems and create positive change in this entry level competition. Entries should focus on answering what the problem is you're trying to solve, what your idea is, and who will benefit from this idea. No business experience or knowledge necessary. Think big and have fun!
Ideas Competition at a glance:
Define your Business in the Little Bang! Pitch+Poster Competition
The Little Bang! Competition helps participants define their business idea and communicate it concisely using a poster and short pitch. Address your business idea, target market, and differentiation alongside insights gathered through customer calls, on a 36” by 48” poster and 90 second pitch. Build off your idea from the Ideas Competition or start fresh with a different venture for a chance to win one of eight $1,000 awards.
Little Bang! at a glance:
Build your venture in the Big Bang! Business Competition
The Big Bang! competition helps you to grow as an entrepreneur and as a leader. You'll find opportunities to connect with fellow innovators, learn and apply business concepts, build your team, grow your network—and compete for cash prizes. In this multi-round competition, you'll continue to refine your venture's value proposition, target market, and business model, as well as having the opportunity to engage with the Institute's network of experienced mentors. Compete to learn, compete to win.
Big Bang! at a glance:
Level up your business knowledge with Big Bang! Workshops
Big Bang! workshops are designed for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. They provide the knowledge and tools you'll need to create the deliverables required to compete in the UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition, the Little Bang! Pitch+Poster Competitions—or begin any other entrepreneurial journey.
Check the Big Bang! Workshops page to see the schedule for upcoming live workshops and watch previous workshops.
Workshop Topics:
- Legal Foundations: Understanding IP and Venture Law
- Business Canvas: Framing Your Approach
- Market, Business, and Technology Validation: Building Your Commitment
- The Pitch: Telling Your Story
- Business Model: Defining a Sustainable Enterprise
- Delivering Your Pitch like a Pro
View recent competition winners
Want to get in touch?
Have a couple pressing questions? Reach out to a member of the Institute team or come by our office!