Eagles Startup Challenge

Get Funding to Start Your Business!

This year, we have over $70,000 in prize money to give away!

The Eagles Startup Challenge is a free collaborative startup competition for EWU students of any major, experience, and class-standing! Students who compete will have access to money, resources, gain valuable weekly mentoring, and a resume-worthy experience. In 2020, 10 teams earned over $1,000, and one team earned $16,500.

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View Challenge Events

Benefits

Cash Prizes! Gain a resume-worthy experience, receive valuable mentoring, and start a business!

Important Dates

Applications Due
January 1, 2023 by midnight

Applicants Notified
January 5, 2023

Learn More

Have questions?
Email us at entp-center@ewu.edu.

Challenge Events

Throughout the Eagles Startup Challenge, you'll have access to weekly learning sessions and workshops taught by members of the Spokane entrepreneurial ecosystem. These weekly sessions will prepare you to compete in the four main challenge events.

Stage 1: The Idea & Value Proposition Challenge

Month #1 | 2-minute elevator pitches: speed dating format

Expectation: An idea and a clear value proposition
All 50 participants receive a prize!
Free food and drinks!
All participants receive a certificate of completion for Stage 1 of the Idea & Value Proposition Challenge!

Top 20 teams will advance to Stage 2, gaining access to 3D printing and other prototyping resources in the Center for Entrepreneurship Maker Space.

Stage 2: The Product/Service Design Challenge

Month #2 | Trade show presentation

Expectations:
- Visual display and poster session presentation
- Knowledge of market
- Basic Feasibility analysis
- Plan for using $2500 to advance this idea
Mentors available for on-the-fly assistance
All participants receive a certificate of completion for Stage 2 of The Product/Service Design Challenge

The top 10 teams will advance to Stage 3. Teams may submit proposals for up to $2500 in prototype, product/service development, market research, etc. support.

Stage 3: The Business Design Challenge

TBD | Pre-investment pitch: "Shark Tank" style finals

Expectations:
- Mini business plan or full executive summary
- Prototype or well-developed design for business/product/service
- Evidence of customer discovery interviews
- Proof of concept is desirable
All participants receive a certificate of completion for Stage 3: The Business Design Challenge
$10,000 of prize money will be awarded

Every team from Stage 3 is eligible. Businesses must be legally formed to enter.

Stage 4: The Startup Challenge Finals

TBD | $10k Seed Capital Round: Winner Takes All

Expectations:
- Evidence of progress throughout the competition.
- Plan for using the $10k along with evidence this is an efficient and strategic use of funds to get the business going.
Applicants will ideally gain access to one or more mentors who have developed an interest in the project.
At least two members of the team will be invited to attend a Spokane Angel Alliance lunch.
The entire team will be invited to attend the Spokane Triangle Expo at no cost.
All participants receive a certificate of completion for the Eagles Startup Challenge and are recognized on the Center For Entrepreneurship website

2021-22 Finalists

Congratulations to our 2021-22 finalists! Kinetic Kitchens took home the first-place People's Choice Award and later received roughly $200,000 from an outside investor after the challenge. E-zevis took runner-up.

Six months later, all seven of our final businesses are still active!

All 2021-22 Finalist Videos