Student teams that compete at CMU VC are offered a unique value proposition: exposure, funding, and feedback. Early-stage companies require significant prototyping funds before a working product can materialize. In order to help teams grow from the experience, the CMU VC aims to objectively reward innovative teams with capital, services, and constructive feedback from experts in a variety of technical and legal domains.
We believe
in great ideas.
Abby Huang, Duke University 2023 Graduate, Launches Headquarters in New York!
"Dime, a venture-backed startup originally founded by Abby Huang at Duke University and now headquartered in New York, has successfully tapped into the Gen Z and university market, revolutionizing how businesses engage with the upcoming generation of consumers."
- Yahoo News
What is CMU VC?
For thirteen years, under the Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Association, CMU Venture Challenge has been bringing together brilliant students to launch their ideas, technologies, and talent.
CMU VC offers student entrepreneurs a strong network of resources, including mentorship from serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, attorneys, and business leaders. Finalists are invited on an all-expenses paid trip to Pittsburgh for the opportunity to pitch their ventures to a panel of distinguished judges and VCs, hear from industry-leading speakers, network with fellow innovators, and truly push their creations to the limit.
$50,000+
in capital funding distributed
Student entrepreneurs compete to secure monetary prizes to empower their ventures.
45
startups successfully backed
Finalists gain access to a network of resources, including mentorship from industry experts.
15+
schools represented across the U.S.
VC attracts aspiring students from renowned academic institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.
demo day attendees
200
VCs, students, faculty, and other startup founders attend demo day to support and network.
Past Speakers
Lucy Guo
Blake Scholl
Vinod Khosla
