Big Rowdy Idea Fall '26 / Spring '27

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Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition

Got an idea? Building a business? This is your moment to pitch it.

The Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition is your opportunity to take the stage, share your vision, and put your ideas into action.

Whether you're already building a business or just beginning to explore an idea, there's a track for you.

Applications close September 13, 2026.

Choose Your Track

Founders Track

Built it? Refined it? Ready to fund and scale?

The Founders Track is designed for participants with a pre-existing business or a refined business idea who are ready to take their venture to the next level.

Choose the Founders Track if:

You have an existing business or well-developed business idea.
You have already taken steps to build, test, or validate your concept.
You are ready to think about funding, growth, and scaling.
You are prepared to pitch your venture and what's next.

Idea Bounce Track

Got the entrepreneurial spirit? It's time to build your idea.

The Idea Bounce Track is designed for participants who have an idea, see a problem worth solving, or are ready to explore what they could build.

You don't need a fully developed business or a polished pitch. This track is about taking your idea, building it out, and learning how to communicate its potential.

Choose the Idea Bounce Track if:

You have an early-stage idea you want to explore.
You've identified a problem or opportunity but are still developing your solution.
You want to learn how to turn an idea into a stronger concept.
You're ready to build your confidence and pitch your idea.

Not sure which track is right for you?

Think about where you are today.

I'm already building and ready to grow. → Founders Track

I have an idea and I'm ready to build. → Idea Bounce Track

Competition Timeline

First Round of Pitches | November 19, 2026

The first round of the Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at the Najim Innovation District, located in The University of Texas at San Antonio's San Pedro II Building.

Participants will pitch their ideas or ventures during the first round of the competition.

The top five teams from each track will advance to the Final Round of the Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition, held in March 2027.

Specific dates and details for the Final Round will be announced during the first round of pitches.

Competition Prizes

The top three teams in each track will receive a prize.

Founders Track

1st Place — $1,500

2nd Place — $1,300

3rd Place — $1,000

Idea Bounce Track

1st Place — $600

2nd Place — $400

3rd Place — $200

Participant & Team Eligibility

Before applying to the Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition, please review the following participation requirements:

The primary applicant must be a currently enrolled student at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Participants may apply and compete individually or as part of a team.
Teams may include up to six (6) members.
All team members must be listed on the application at the time of submission.
A participant may only compete with one idea or venture per track.
Teams must identify one primary contact/team lead who will serve as the main point of contact for competition communications.
The idea or venture submitted must be the original work of the individual or team. Participants should have the right to present and develop the idea, product, or venture submitted.
Team members are expected to actively contribute to the development of the idea or venture and preparation for the pitch competition.
Participants must complete all required competition milestones and submit requested materials by the established deadlines.
At least one team member must be available to deliver the pitch during the First Round of Pitches on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM.
Teams selected as finalists must be prepared to participate in the Final Round in March 2027. The specific date will be announced during the First Round of Pitches.
Applicants must select the competition track that best represents the current stage of their idea or venture. The Najim Center may recommend a different track based on the information provided in the application.
Submission of an application does not guarantee selection to participate in the Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition.

By submitting an application, participants acknowledge that they have reviewed the competition requirements and are prepared to meet the expectations of the Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition.

Ready to Pitch Your Big Rowdy Idea?

Choose the track that best represents where your idea or venture is today, complete the application, and get ready to build, develop, and pitch what's next.

Are you applying as an individual or as part of a team?

If Team is selected:

Please provide the first and last names of each participant.
Example: Lacy Davis, John Smith, Daniela Garcia, Eric Smart

* Put N/A for individual participant

If an Individual

First and Last Name

* Put N/A if you are part of a Team

Please provide the major for each participant.
Example: John Smith-Biology, Zach Petterson-Business

If Individual: please provide just your major

Please provide the classification of each participant.
Example: John Smith-Freshman, Zach Petterson-Freshman

If individual: please provide just your classification

Please provide your UTSA email address.
Need help activating your UTSA email address?
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If a team, please provide each team member's UTSA email address.
Example: John Smith - John.smith@my.utsa.edu , Zach Petterson - zach.petterson@my.utsa.edu

Please provide the best phone number to contact you.

If a team: Provide the best phone number for each team member:
Example: John Smith - 210-445-8766, Zach Petterson - 832-776-8832

Please provide your banner ID (@1234567)
*You can find your banner ID located on your UTSA ID Card:

If a team: Put banner ID next to each team member's name:
Example: John Smith - @134567 , Zach Petterson - @654321

Which track are you applying for?

Please select the track that best represents where your idea or venture is today.

Founders Track Venture Overview

As part of your Founders Track application, please upload a document that provides an overview of your business or venture.

In your document, please clearly address each of the questions below. You may use the questions as headings to organize your responses. Keep your answers clear and concise while providing enough information for our review team to understand your venture, progress, and goals.

1. Business or Venture Name
What is the name of your business or venture?

2. Business Overview
In a few sentences, tell us about your business or venture. What product or service do you offer, and what problem does your business solve?

3. Target Customer
Who is your target customer? Briefly describe the person, group, or organization your product or service is designed to serve.

4. Current Venture Stage
Which stage best describes your business or venture today?

Refined idea or concept
Developing a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP)
Testing with potential customers
Launched but not yet generating revenue
Generating revenue
Growing an established business

5. Testing and Validation
What steps have you taken to test or validate your business idea? This may include customer conversations, surveys, product testing, pilot programs, sales, pre-orders, or other forms of feedback.

6. Revenue and Sales Progress
Is your business currently generating revenue? If yes, briefly share your current revenue or sales progress. If no, please indicate that your venture is not currently generating revenue.

7. Traction and Progress
What traction or progress have you made so far? Tell us about key milestones, customers, users, partnerships, sales, product development, or other progress that demonstrates momentum.

8. Competitive Difference
What makes your business or solution different? What sets your venture apart from existing products, services, or competitors?

9. Current Growth Challenge
What is the biggest challenge currently preventing your business from growing?

10. Use of Funding
If you received funding for your business, how would you use it? Be specific about how the funding would help you reach your next milestone.

11. Next Major Goal
What is the next major goal for your business or venture? What are you working toward over the next 6–12 months?

12. Founders Track Readiness
Why are you ready to pitch in the Founders Track? Tell us why this is the right time for you and your venture to participate in the Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition.

Document Upload

Please upload your completed Founders Track Venture Overview below.

Accepted file formats: PDF or Word document

Before uploading, please make sure your document addresses all 12 questions listed above.

Idea Bounce Track Idea Overview

As part of your Idea Bounce Track application, please upload a document that tells us about your idea, the problem or opportunity you've identified, and what you hope to explore.

Your idea does not need to be fully developed. We're interested in learning about what you're thinking, what inspired your idea, and where you hope to take it.

1. Idea Name
What is the name of your idea? It's okay if you don't have an official name yet. You may provide a working name or write “TBD.”

2. Tell Us About Your Idea
In a few sentences, describe what you are thinking about building, creating, or exploring.

3. The Problem or Opportunity
What problem or opportunity have you identified? Tell us what you noticed, experienced, or learned that inspired your idea.

4. Who Could Benefit?
Who experiences this problem or could benefit from your idea? Briefly describe the people, group, or community you hope to serve.

5. Your Proposed Solution
How do you think your idea could address the problem or opportunity you identified?

6. Where Are You With Your Idea?
Which stage best describes where you are today?

I recently thought of the idea.
I have been thinking about the idea but haven't taken action yet.
I have done some research.
I have talked to potential customers or people who experience the problem.
I have started developing or testing the idea.

7. What Have You Explored So Far?
Tell us about any research, conversations, brainstorming, testing, or other steps you've taken to explore your idea.

It's okay if you're just getting started.

8. What Are You Still Trying to Figure Out?
What are you most curious about or still trying to understand as you develop your idea?

9. Your Idea Bounce Goal
What would you like to accomplish by participating in the Idea Bounce Track? Tell us what progress would make this experience successful for you.

10. Why Do You Want to Pitch Your Idea?
Why do you want to pitch your idea at the Big Rowdy Idea Pitch Competition?

Document Upload

Please upload your completed Idea Bounce Track Idea Overview below.

Accepted file formats: PDF or Word document

Before uploading, please make sure your document addresses all 10 questions listed above.

Please upload a pitch of your idea, no longer than 2 minutes, as a private YouTube link and share the link below. If you need assistance on how to make a YouTube video private, click here.

How did you hear about Big Rowdy Idea?

The Najim Center Website

Handshake

RowdyLink

My College Sucess Center

Received an Email

Class Presentation

Tabling

Organization Presentation

Other

Required

Team Media Release Agreement

We, hereby grant the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) permission to publish or post information including, but not limited, to name, picture, audio recording, visual recording, or any other medium, for any purpose whatsoever that UTSA deems appropriate including but not limited to, exhibition, education, illustration, and promotion.

Required

Payment Acknowledgment

On average, please allow up to four weeks for payment to be processed.

Note: The Najim Team will not be held liable for remitting payments for students beyond 30 days after the conclusion of the semester in which they participated; individuals forfeit their eligibility for payment if all required payment documents are not received within this timeframe.