Spring Annually. Pitch competition for viable technology-based ventures based on technology from RPI’s existing IP portfolio and, in partnership with NASA, NASA’s IP portfolio. Selected by invited judges. Intended to lead into the New York State Business Plan Competition.
Spring Annually. Business plan competition for viable technology-based ventures based on their own novel technology. 8 minute pitches. For students only. Selected by invited judges. Intended to lead into the New York State Business Plan Competition.
State-wide business plan competition with events at the regional and then state levels. For students only. 8-minute pitches to panels of judges for prizes and prestige. Organized by Upstate Capital. (Pitch focused.)
A competition that rewards students for identifying unique problems worth solving. The bigger the impact on society, the better. The less obvious the problem, the better. Take a few minutes to pitch your problem – define it, explain its significance and why it is compelling to solve – and win cash prizes. Make a good pitch about a compelling problem and impress the judges. Open to any current RPI student.
A weekend innovation sprint to engage teams of students in creating solutions to address some of society’s greatest challenges. The Change the World Innovation Sprint Challenge starts on a Saturday morning and ends with a pitch competition on Sunday afternoon. Students from all disciplines form teams and develop unique ideas into a viable business concepts over one weekend. Mentors, workshops, and materials are provided. This is a hands-on experience in innovation. The most promising ideas are awarded cash prizes and in-kind services to develop the innovations into tangible products & services.
Innovation Awards
SaaS Digital Venture Prize $3,000
Supported by the Clarke Thrasher, IV ’24 Fund, the Digital Venture Prize is awarded annually to the most promising ventures focused on software as a service (SAAS). Open to any current RPI student. The award is given annually at a pitch competition.
Catalyst Launch Prize $5,000
Supported by the Ajit Prabhu ’98 Catalyst Fund, Catalyst Launch Prizes are awarded twice annually to the most promising ventures that complete the Catalyst Incubator Program or the Ignite Activator Program. Funds are used to support early-stage activities of RPI startups. RPI students, faculty, and staff are eligible to compete.
Prize for Innovation in Quantum Computing $5,000
Supported by the Vida and Art Goldstein ’57 Fund, this annual student competition recognizes high-potential innovations grounded in quantum science, quantum computing, or quantum-enabled applications. The program encourages venture development and translation of ideas into real-world impact. Open to any current RPI student. The award is given annually at a pitch competition.
Business Plan Grand Prize $7,500
Supported by the Agrawal Family Foundation Fund, the Business Plan Grand Prize is awarded to the most outstanding student business plan. Open to any current RPI student. The award is given annually at a pitch competition.
Tough Tech MVP Award $15,000
Supported by the Ajit Prabhu ’98 Catalyst Fund, the Tough Tech MVP Award is a funding opportunity designed to empower early-stage RPI-affiliated startups that are tackling some of the world’s most difficult technical challenges. This award supports the creation of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — a functional prototype or proof-of-concept — that demonstrates the feasibility and potential of transformative “tough tech” innovations. RPI students, faculty, and staff are eligible to compete. Awarded twice annually to the most promising ventures in tough tech.
Innovation Prize $20,000
Supported by the Bala Excellence Fund, the Bala Innovation Prize is awarded to the most promising students and student-led startups to continue development of their entrepreneurial efforts. The funds are awarded annually at a pitch event. RPI students are eligible to compete.
Catalyst Pre-Seed Award $30,000
Supported by the Ajit Prabhu Catalyst Fund, the Catalyst Pre-Seed Award supports student-, staff-, and faculty-led ventures in developing technology-based innovations into market-ready products and services. The goal of this award is to accelerate promising ideas toward market readiness by providing financial support, mentorship, and access to university innovation resources. The award is non-dilutional. RPI students, faculty, and staff are eligible to compete. Awarded twice annually to the most promising new ventures with scalable technology-based innovations.
Faculty Translation Grant $30,000
Supported by the Ajit Prabhu Catalyst Fund, the Faculty Translation Grant supports faculty, research staff, and research teams seeking to translate promising, technology-based discoveries into commercially viable applications, products, or startup ventures. The goal is to accelerate innovation emerging from RPI’s research laboratories toward real-world impact by supporting proof-of-concept validation, prototype development, and market readiness activities.