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
October
Applications open. Read the application requirements and check back soon for this year's application form.
February
Application deadline. Teams submit their initial proposals for consideration.
Feb./March
Team workshops.Teams are required to participate in at least one workshop event.
March
Semi-final pitches. Teams participate in a rocket pitch and Q+A with judges, with top teams advancing to the Final Pitches round.
March
Practice pitches. Top teams meet with the IdeaMakers faculty adviser to practice their pitches in preparation for the Final Pitches event.
March
Final pitches. Teams present their final pitches to a panel of judges during Penn State Startup Week.
Application Requirements
- All team members must be undergraduate students.
- Students must be enrolled and in good standing at Penn State.
- Teams must have between 2-5 students.
- Students from any Penn State college or campus can participate.
- Information technology must be a core component of the team's solution.
Why Participate?
- Develop public speaking and pitching skills
- Participate in workshops on topics like prototyping, pitching, and business idea generation
- Network with faculty, industry leaders, and experienced entrepreneurs
- Socialize with other entrepreneurial-minded students
- Gain excellent experience that stands out on a resume and in job interviews
Prizes
- First Place: $3,000
- Second Place: $2,000
- Third Place: $1,000
- Dave Hall Award, which recognizes the team that best exemplifies the challenge’s spirit of collaboration and innovation. The award is named for the late dean of the College of IST, who was instrumental in developing Startup Week and the IdeaMakers Challenge
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.
