New Venture Challenge Workshops and Events
Prepare for the New Venture Challenge
Leading up to the New Venture Challenge we host bootcamps, resource fairs, and the Make-A-Pitch competition to help prepare YOU for the 2023 New Venture Challenge.
NVC Bootcamps
Bootcamps are two-day events that run twice a semester. Thursdays are networking nights, aimed to boost your soft skills, ask questions, and learn from experienced entrepreneurs. Fridays are learning days. You will attend modules that cover the business topics you need to know to successfully participate in The New Venture Challenge. Mentors are available Friday to assist you and your team. Food and drinks are provided both Thursday and Friday. All CMU students are welcome to attend NVC Bootcamps.
Bootcamp topics include but are not limited to:
- Business model canvas
- Financials
- Customer validation
- Market segmentation
- Website building and design
- Executive summary writing
- Pitch practice
- PowerPoint presentation practice
Register for the NVC Bootcamps below today!
Resources and mentoring
The IDEA Den
New Venture Challenge mentoring sessions
Mondays | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Grawn 166
Wednesdays | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Grawn 166
Fridays | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Grawn 166
Get personalized help with your entrepreneurial journey. Entrepreneurship faculty member Professor Gustincic will be available each week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for coaching. Flexibility outside the above hours is available, please email: gusti1j@cmich.edu to schedule a meeting that works with you.
Office Hours
Graphic design assistance
As a participant of the New Venture Challenge, it's important to design a professional business brand for the competition.
Mini Skillbuilder 1
Friday, January 20 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM | Grawn 150G
Topic: Ideation: Finding and Developing a Winning New Venture Idea.
NVC Resource Fair
Tuesday, Jan 24 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Grawn Atrium
Join us for the New Venture Challenge Resource Fair! Get to know different resources on campus that can help YOU succeed in the New Venture Challenge.
Mini Skillbuilder 2
Friday, January 27 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM | Grawn 150G
Topic: Who is Your Customer, and What is Their Problem?
IBIE Game Night
Thursday, February 2 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Grawn 166
Join us for an evening full of games, snacks, and good laughs. Take part in a range of different board games or bring your own. Compete for bragging rights as well as a 3D printed prize.
Mini Skillbuilder 3
Friday, February 3 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM | Grawn 150G
Topic: Prototypes, Apps and Websites
NVC Spring Bootcamp I
Day 1 - Networking Night
Thursday, Feb 9 | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Courtyard by Marriott
Join NVC mentors, students, and IBIE staff for a night of networking and connection building. Get to know other NVC participants and the mentors who are here to help you on your new venture journey!
Day 2 - Workshop Modules
Friday, Feb 10 | 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Grawn 150G
Join mentors and entrepreneurship faculty and staff as we work with you to build and plan out your venture. Students who are interested in participating in The New Venture Challenge are encouraged to attend. All students are welcome.
Bootcamp 1 Registration (Thursday and Friday)
Mini Skillbuilder 4
Friday, February 17 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM | Grawn 150G
Topic: Building a Three-Year Financial Forecast How to Present Financial at NVC (building visually appealing financial slides).
Hackathon ReImagine
Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25 | Fri. 5:00 PM - Sat. 6:00 PM | Grawn Hall
Compete in teams during a 24-hour event of problem-solving madness. Showcase your solution to a panel of judges and your team could win cash prizes! Registration opens January 10. Individuals and groups can register. Individuals will be placed within a team.
Mini Skillbuilder 5
Friday, March 3 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM | Grawn 150G
Topic: Storytelling and the perfect “hook” for your pitch.
NVC Spring Bootcamp II
Day 1 - Networking Night
Thursday, March 23 | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Grawn Hall
Join NVC mentors, students, and IBIE staff for a night of networking and connection building. Get to know other NVC participants and the mentors who are here to help you on your new venture journey!
Day 2 - Workshop Modules
Friday, March 24 | 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Grawn 150G
Join mentors and entrepreneurship faculty and staff as we work with you to build and plan out your venture. Students who are interested in participating in The New Venture Challenge are encouraged to attend. All students are welcome.
Bootcamp 2 Registration (Thursday and Friday)
Bring It Together Workshop
Monday, March 27| 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Grawn 166
Attend a session to work on your venture display for NVC Gallery Showcase. Craft supplies and tools will be provided, please bring any materials you wish to use for your venture display.
Mentor meetup
Friday, December 7| 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM|Grawn 166
Meet up with mentors for feedback and advice on your venture plan before NVC preliminaries!
New Venture Challenge: Preliminaries
Tuesday, April 11| 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Virtual: Airmeet
Teams and individuals who enter to compete in the Full Presentation category will present a 7-minute pitch of their venture virtually to a panel of judges. Those that make it to the finals will present in-person Friday, April 21.
The New Venture Challenge
Friday, April 21 | 1:00 - 8:00 PM | John G. Kulhavi Events Center and McGuirk Arena
The CMU New Venture Challenge is a competitive event for students enrolled across all colleges at CMU to develop their entrepreneurial mindset, learn business start-up techniques, and develop their business ideas.
Students have a chance to compete in the Full Presentation or the Elevator Pitch Competition. All students can compete in the Venture Gallery.
Teams who do not make it to the finals within the Full Presentation Competition category have the option to compete in the Elevator Pitch Competition and Venture Gallery