Campus & Community

Fall 2025 LaunchPad Competitions Announced

Wednesday, September 3, 2025, By Cristina Hatem

Syracuse University Libraries’ LaunchPad announces its fall 2025 lineup of competitions, where student entrepreneurs, founders, innovators and creatives have an opportunity to win prizes to support their endeavors.

Two students smiling and holding a large ceremonial check made out to "Iconic Clouds" for $10,000 as the "2024 Winner." The man on the left wears a burgundy button-up shirt, while the man on the right wears a black t-shirt and olive jacket.

IconicCloud wins $10,000 at 2024 ‘Cuse Tank competition.

To participate in any of the LaunchPad competitions, the first step is to ‘Join the LaunchPad’ by signing up to receive our emails about upcoming opportunities. Joining the LaunchPad is free, easy and open to all members of the University community.

Below is more information about the scheduled competitions during the Fall 2025 Semester (all competitions held in Bird Library, unless otherwise noted):

  • Ideas Fest on Friday, Sept. 12, 12:30-3:30 p.m.: Pitch your idea in 90 seconds for a chance to win $500! Ideas Fest is your chance to pitch your business, project or idea in just 90 seconds. No executive summary or pitch deck is required—just bring your idea and your passion. Online applications to participate are due by Monday, Sept. 8.
  • ’Cuse Tank on Friday, Sept. 26, 2-5 p.m.: This Shark-Tank style business pitch is open to all student entrepreneurial teams, with judges comprised of University members and LaunchPad affiliates. Teams deliver a four-minute pitch idea for a chance to win more than $10,000 in prizes. Online applications to participate are due by Monday, Sept. 22.
  • Orange Central Student Startup Showcase on Friday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Students are invited to showcase their ventures and products with our Syracuse University alumni. Alumni are given fake ‘Cuse Cash to “invest” in student start-ups. The top three student entrepreneurs receiving the most ‘Cuse Cash investments will receive cash prizes. Online applications are due by Monday, Oct. 13.
  • Halloween Freelance Small Business Competition on Friday, Oct. 31, noon-3 p.m.: Student entrepreneurs building a creative career, side hustle, providing consulting services or creating a product or service are invited to compete in the Halloween Freelance Small Business competition. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students, participants present their business, previous work and the unique value they bring to their product or service market for a chance to win cash and non-cash prizes. Online applications to participate are due by Monday, Oct. 27.
  • Impact Prize on Wednesday, Nov. 19, noon-3 p.m.: Open to Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry undergraduate and graduate students who are taking entrepreneurship courses at Syracuse University working on ventures with a social impact (such as energy, environment, employment, education and training, health and mental health, community and social networks, social inclusion, poverty and literacy, youth empowerment, food, sustainability, access, etc.) and ventures that support important public policy goals. Competitors will present a brief (four to five minutes) presentation followed by a Q&A from judges for a chance to win up to $15,000 in prizes. Online applications to participate are due by Friday, Nov. 14.

LaunchPad staff and mentors are available to support student entrepreneurs, founders, innovators and creatives interested in participating in LaunchPad competitions. There are a number of scheduled workshops available in the LaunchPad around presentation skills, pitch preparation, business development ideas and other skill-building opportunities. For more information on competitions or how you can get involved with the LaunchPad, contact launchpad@syr.edu.