Discovery Competition

The second stage of the UVA Entrepreneurship Cup, the Discovery Competition, is all about customer and product development. $25,000 in total prize money will be awarded as part of the Discovery Stage.

The Discovery Competition is based upon the principles of effectuation, a problem solving process that expert entrepreneurs undertake after they have conceived of their idea (Stage I: Concept), but before they invested significant time and money into the project (Stage III: Launch!). By focusing upon the “fit” between customer needs or wants and the project’s product or service, as well as the personal skills, connections and effort students bring to this challenge, this stage of the competition requires students to—and rewards students who—demonstrate that they have taken steps to “de-risk” their idea, perhaps the most crucial step in the startup process.

The top five projects in the Discovery Competition will be awarded $5,000 each, for a total of $25,000 in total awards. Furthermore, these projects will receive additional, in-kind resources in the hopes of helping the projects to the next stage of development.

View This Year's Finalists!

KEY DATES

Friday, February 2, 2024, at 12PM ET (High Noon): Submissions are due
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 (9AM ET): Online Reviewers Scores are due
Tuesday, February 13, 2024: Finalists are announced
Sunday, February 18, 2024: Finalists Videos are due
Wednesday, February 21, 2024  at 4:30PM: Competition Day in the iLab Classroom located at the UVA Darden School of Business

Before applying, please review the links below to ensure eligibility. For eligibility and other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected]