The Bardusch Family IdeaMakers Challenge is an early-stage business idea competition that invites undergraduate student teams to identify a problem and pitch a solution that involves digital innovation. Teams receive mentoring from faculty and industry leaders to develop their idea, and then pitch it to a panel of expert judges to compete for prizes during Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC.
2025-2026 Competition Schedule
Nov. 3, 2025
Applications open.
Dec. 5
Priority application deadline. Applicants will be notified of their status by December 12. Teams that apply by this deadline will have additional opportunities to work on their proposal and get feedback from a faculty mentor in early spring.
Feb. 2
Application deadline. Teams submit their initial proposals for consideration.
Feb./Mar.
Team workshops.Teams are required to participate in at least one workshop event.
March
Practice pitches. Top teams meet with the IdeaMakers faculty adviser to practice their pitches in preparation for the Final Pitches event.
March 18
Semi-final pitches. Teams participate in a rocket pitch and Q+A with judges, with top teams advancing to the Final Pitches round.
March 25
Final pitches. Teams present their final pitches to a panel of judges during Penn State Startup Week- March 25, 6-8 p.m., Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub, Room 603
About the Bardusch Family
In 2021, Penn State alumni Bob and Susan Bardusch created the " Bardusch Family IdeaMakers Challenge Endowment" to support student entrepreneurs in the College of IST.
Read about the BarduschesQuestions? Contact us.
