Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Provider
- Northwestern University
- Deadline
- 3/31/2027
In short
VentureCat 2026 is Northwestern University's annual student startup competition, offering over $100,000 in non-dilutive cash prizes to promising student ventures.
VentureCat
By Northwestern University
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 3/31/2027243 days left
Over $100,000
Total non-dilutive cash prizes
5
Industry tracks
Northwestern University
Organizer
2026
Competition year
Overview
VentureCat is Northwestern University's annual student startup competition, showcasing the most promising student ventures and providing them with resources to advance their businesses. It is a university-wide program supported by key entrepreneurial centers at Northwestern, aiming to foster innovation and impact. The event culminates in a competition where student founders present their progress and solutions to a panel of judges and the wider community. The competition is organized into five industry tracks: Business Products and Services (B to B), Consumer Products and Services (B to C), Energy and Sustainability, Life Sciences and Medical Innovations, and Social Impact. This structure allows startups to compete within their specific sectors, ensuring relevant judging and recognition. The program emphasizes concrete progress beyond initial ideas, looking for validated market needs and a commitment to continued development. VentureCat provides substantial non-dilutive funding, with over $100,000 in cash prizes awarded to the finalist teams. Beyond the financial awards, the competition offers a Pitch Prep Program for semifinalists, including coaching sessions and access to valuable resources. The competition is designed to accelerate the trajectory of student founders, equipping them with the tools and exposure needed to take their ventures to the next level. Since 2014, VentureCat alumni have collectively raised billions in follow-on funding, been accepted into prestigious accelerator programs, successfully exited companies, launched new products, and created over 2,600 jobs, demonstrating the significant impact and success of participating ventures.
What to build
Participants must present a startup (product or service) that has progressed beyond the idea stage and demonstrates concrete steps taken to address a validated market need. This includes developing a compelling solution with a path to scalability, understanding the competitive landscape, and outlining a realistic business model. The venture should be the original idea of the team.
Prizes
1st place in each of 5 industry tracks
Advances to the finals. Prize money not specified for track winners.
Unspecified portion of >$100,000
Wildcard team
One additional semifinalist team (chosen from 2nd place track teams) advances to the finals. Prize money not specified.
Unspecified portion of >$100,000
Top 3 finalist teams
Non-dilutive funding distributed among the top three teams. Payments are made to the company, not individuals, and require a U.S.-based registered business entity with a W-9 form and EIN by July 1, 2026. Prize money over $25,000 will be paid in increments based on team milestones.
Over $100,000 in total
Key dates
- Fall Quarter Info SessionNovember 6, 2025
- Winter Quarter Info SessionFebruary 12, 2026
- International Student Founders Office Hours (Virtual)February 18, 2026
- Business Entity Formation & University IP Workshop (Virtual)February 25, 2026
- Business Entity Formation Legal Office Hours (Virtual)March 4, 2026
- Application Period OpensMarch 30, 2026
- Application Period ClosesApril 9, 2026
- Semifinalists AnnouncedApril 23, 2026
- Semifinalists Kickoff MeetingApril 23, 2026
- Pitch Prep ProgramApril 24, 2026 - May 22, 2026
- VentureCat Competition and Public ShowcaseMay 27, 2026
Eligibility
Teams must include at least one currently enrolled degree-seeking Northwestern University student who acts as the Team Lead, is a co-founder, and holds substantial equity in the business. The Team Lead must complete the application, serve as the main contact, and present during the competition. Only current Northwestern students are permitted to present and participate in Q&A. Businesses are ineligible if they have raised more than $500,000 in equity capital (excluding government/university grants) or were started more than four years prior to the application deadline. Previous 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place finalists in VentureCat are ineligible, but previous semifinalists or non-winning finalists may reapply. All prize winners must have a U.S.-based registered business entity and provide a W-9 form with an EIN by July 1, 2026; payments cannot be made to foreign entities or individuals. Semifinalists must fully commit to the four to five-week Pitch Prep Program.
How to enter
- Review the eligibility requirements and official rules and guidelines.
- Prepare a 10-slide pitch deck.
- Record a 60-second simple elevator pitch video (you speaking to the camera, no graphics).
- Complete the application questions, which are based on the program's evaluation criteria.
- Submit the application during the application period (typically mid-to late-March to early-April).
Submission requirements
- 10-slide pitch deck
- 60-second elevator pitch video (no graphics, just presenter speaking to camera)
- Completed application questions based on judging criteria
- A U.S.-based registered business entity with an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a W-9 form (required to receive prize money, due by July 1, 2026)
- A signed agreement outlining equity ownership (e.g., Founders’ Agreement, LLC Operating Agreement, or Shareholders’ Agreement) by the competition date.
Judging criteria
- PROBLEM: Significant problem/need identified, validated by research, with customer groups sized and identified.
- PROPOSITION (Value Prop & Business Model): Compelling and scalable solution, differentiated customer value, understanding of competitive marketplace, and realistic business model with revenue sources.
- PROGRESS (Progress & Traction): Demonstrated progress beyond idea stage (e.g., proof of concept, customer research, product development, sales) and proposal for future funding.
- PEOPLE (Team): Presentation materials and responses show expertise, commitment, coachability, and a thoughtful approach; identified immediate and near-term team needs/skills; commitment to continue developing the business beyond VentureCat.
Sponsors & partners
Donald Pritzker Entrepreneurship Law CenterThe Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and InnovationKellogg School of ManagementThe Garage
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
How far along should a startup be to apply for VentureCat?
+
VentureCat is a startup competition, not a business idea competition. Applicants should demonstrate concrete steps taken to build a product or service addressing a validated market need, showing progress beyond an initial idea. Many applicants may be pre-revenue, but some may have sales or pilot programs. Student founders should be actively working on their startup and committed to continuing beyond VentureCat.
Do I have to have a registered company?
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If awarded any prize money, the student founder must have a U.S.-based registered business entity and provide a completed W-9 form with the business's IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) by July 1, 2026, to receive payments. Payments are made to companies, not individuals, and cannot be made to foreign entities.
When do applications open and close?
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The VentureCat application is typically open from mid-to late-March to early-April. Specific dates are available on the Schedule and Key Dates page.
What does the application entail?
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The application includes a 10-slide pitch deck, a 60-second simple elevator pitch video (just speaking to the camera, no graphics), and application questions based on the judging criteria.
How are applications and semifinals and finals pitches evaluated?
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The same criteria are used for all stages: application review, semifinals, and finals. These criteria are Problem, Proposition (Value Prop & Business Model), Progress (Progress & Traction), and People (Team).
Do winners give up an equity stake in their startups?
+
No, the prize money is non-dilutive capital, and there is no exchange for equity with Northwestern University or any sponsors.
Am I eligible to participate if I graduated earlier this year?
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Students who were in a degree-seeking Northwestern University program (full-time or part-time) in the current academic year of the VentureCat competition and graduated prior to the end of the academic year are eligible to apply.
Can Northwestern alumni participate?
+
Teams must consist of at least one currently enrolled degree-seeking Northwestern University student. The Northwestern student must be a co-founder and substantial equity holder in the business. (Note: There is a separate 'Alumni VentureCat' competition for alumni.)
Can I apply in more than one track?
+
No, you can only apply to one track that is most appropriate for your startup. VentureCat organizers reserve the right to move entries to the most appropriate track.
Does my startup belong in the Social Impact track?
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If your startup's defining goal is to create positive, significant change addressing a pressing social or sustainability challenge, it may fit in the Social Impact track.
Does my startup belong in the Energy & Sustainability track?
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Teams applying to this track should focus on solutions in sustainability, energy, and cleantech required to manage climate change, resource constraint, and other environmental challenges.
Can I apply as a solo founder or are there any limits on number of team members?
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Yes, solo founders may apply, but should discuss how they plan to build out their team. There is no limit to team size, but only currently enrolled degree-seeking Northwestern students are allowed to pitch on competition day.
What is the time commitment if selected as a semifinalist?
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Semifinalists are required to participate in the Pitch Prep Program and be present to pitch on competition day. This includes a one-hour kickoff meeting, a brief call with the program lead, two 45-minute pitch coaching sessions, and time for pitch preparation. Competition day activities span the entire day for teams reaching the finals.
How much can I win?
+
Over $100,000 in non-dilutive funding is awarded in total to the finalist teams.
Resources
- Student e-mail list sign-up
- VentureCat Official Rules & Guidelines
- Eligibility Requirements
- Evaluation Criteria
- Student Business Formation Resources website
- Business Entity Formation & University IP Policy Overview Session (Winter 2021 recording)
- How to Write a Great Business Plan by William A. Sahlman | Harvard Business Review
- Build Your Lean Canvas | Techstars
- Business Model Canvas: The One Tool Startups Need to Brainstorm, Test and Win | First Round Review
- Sample Executive Summary
- Springrose (VentureCat 2021 third place winner) Application Elevator Pitch Example
- Mert Iseri NU ’13, SwipeSense 60-second elevator video pitch | Wall Street Journal
- VentureCat 2021 Semifinalist Pitches | YouTube Playlist
- VentureCat 2020 Semifinalist Pitches | YouTube Playlist
- TED’s Secret to Great Public Speaking by Chris Anderson | TED
- 30 Startup Pitch Decks And What You Can Learn From Them | Piktochart
- 31 Pitch Deck Slide Examples | Crunchbase
- How to Pitch Your Startup | Y Combinator
- Master Your Pitch | Techstars
- The Pitch | Gimlet Media Podcast
- VentureCat YouTube Channel (past pitches)
- Winter Quarter Info Session Registration
- International Student Founder Office Hour Appointments
- Business Formation & University IP Policy Overview Session Registration
- Business Formation & University IP Policy Overview Session Zoom Link
- Business Entity Formation Legal Office Hours
- VentureCat Program Manager Office Hours Sign-Up