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Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Big Rowdy Idea

What is Big Rowdy Idea?

The Big Rowdy Idea (BRI) is an inclusive and exciting event open to all UTSA students designed to teach the Lean Startup Methodology to budding entrepreneurs while fostering personal development. It provides a platform for participants to showcase their innovative ideas and strategic plans, promoting a spirit of competition and collaboration within the university community. BRI's welcoming atmosphere ensures that all students, regardless of background or experience, feel encouraged and supported as they explore their entrepreneurial aspirations. As a unique opportunity, BRI not only prepares entrepreneurs to launch scalable ventures but also allows them to pursue their degree program or work at UTSA simultaneously, making it a transformative journey for every participant.



The Big Rowdy Idea (BRI) is an inclusive and exciting event open to all UTSA students designed to teach the Lean Startup Methodology to budding entrepreneurs while fostering personal development. It provides a platform for participants to showcase their innovative ideas and strategic plans, promoting a spirit of competition and collaboration within the university community. BRI's welcoming atmosphere ensures that all students, regardless of background or experience, feel encouraged and supported as they explore their entrepreneurial aspirations. As a unique opportunity, BRI not only prepares entrepreneurs to launch scalable ventures but also allows them to pursue their degree program or work at UTSA simultaneously, making it a transformative journey for every participant.

Lean startup methodology SIE

Lean Startup Methodology is a method of managing and building a business or startup by experimenting, testing, and iterating while developing products based on findings from your tests and feedback.

What's in it for YOU?

Orange dollar - BRI page.png
Winners stand to earn lucrative cash prizes and gain access to invaluable resources to further their endeavors.
Blue network - BRI page
Showcase your talent to well-esteemed investors, San Antonio employers, business owners, and seasoned entrepreneurs to raise funds for your startup or to accelerate your career.
Ideas BRI orange
Test your ideas and business model in a risk-free environment, while receiving invaluable feedback from esteemed judges and mentors to refine crucial aspects of your venture.
Business model Blue BRI
Optimize your business model's potential, identify the ideal market alignment, and significantly enhance your prospects for achieving commercial success.
BRI resume orange
Build an impressive resume that stands out from the crowd during job applications, and challenge yourself and acquire key transferable skills applicable in any professional setting.

Click here to apply for the Big Rowdy Idea

Big Rowdy Idea Competition Guidelines

Open to all UTSA students from any major.

Teams must consist of a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 6 members.

Your business submissions must be original, innovative work developed by your team. We welcome a wide range of project ideas, as long as they hold the potential for scalability. Please note that we do not accept buyouts, expansion plans for existing companies, real estate ventures, tax shelters, franchises, licensing agreements for distribution in different areas, or spinouts from existing corporations.

Companies that have already received over 100K in investment from any source before the current academic year are not eligible to compete. Competing teams/companies should not have generated any revenues prior to the current academic year.

1 A scalable business model is a business that sees increasing returns as it invests more in capital, labor and services. This generally means that unit costs decline as your business expands. Scalability is what makes a business, in the simplest terms, big, and which typically means greater revenue streams; combine this with efficiencies created by economies of scale, and therefore lower costs, and you have a recipe for a profitable business with strong growth potential. 

Navigating the Five Ventures

For ventures and pitches built around buying and selling online, this category is perfect for businesses focusing on internet-based retail, marketplace platforms, and digital product sales.

If your venture or pitch centers on a physical location, this category welcomes brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants, cafes, and any idea with a physical presence.

Ideal for ventures and pitches centered on providing services, consulting, expertise, or specialized solutions to clients. Whether it's consultancy, professional services, or freelance work.

If your venture prioritizes making a positive difference in society or focuses on philanthropic initiatives, this category celebrates ventures dedicated to creating a better world.

For ventures and pitches built around innovations in technology. If your concept involves cutting-edge software, apps, hardware, or tech or health solutions.

Please note that some business ventures may fall into multiple categories, which is perfectly acceptable. Additionally, while we've outlined five primary buckets, not every business type may be explicitly mentioned here. If you have any inquiries or require clarification regarding the most suitable category for your venture, please submit your question using this form, and one of our team members will reach out to you within 48 business hours.

Timeline for Fall 2023 Cycle

BRI Application opens BRI  May 2023: Application Open

BRI Application deadline blue October 1st: Application Deadline

BRI Innovation Lab 1  November 4th: Fall Innovation Lab 

BRI Innovation Lab 2  November 20th: Pitch Day 

1st Round Pitches 10:00 am - 12:30 pm 

The top 5 teams will proceed to the final round 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Announcing the winners 2:15 pm

Mandatory Commitments for Big Rowdy Idea Participation:

  1. Fall Innovation Lab - November 4: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  2. Pitch Day: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Throughout the competition, you'll also engage in meetings with your team and mentors, this will be scheduled by you and your team.

Timeline for Spring 2024 Cycle

BRI pitch day orange  Spring 2024: Spring Innovation Lab

 

Mandatory Commitments for Big Rowdy Idea Participation:

  1. Spring Innovation Lab - Spring 2024: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Throughout the competition, you'll also engage in meetings with your team and mentors, this will be scheduled by you and your team.

Additional details coming soon.

Please refer to this page for updates.

Compete for the 2023 Big Rowdy Idea!

Register Here

 

Awards

1st Place Up to $5,000 Cash
2nd Place Up to $3,500 Cash
3rd Place Up to $1,500 Cash

 

Click here to fill out the Application Form (log in using your UTSA Credentials) and download the Big Idea Business Model Canvas that will help you develop your Big Idea Hypothesis. After you submit your application, please send an electronic copy of your completed “Big Idea Canvas” (both pages) to cite@utsa.edu. Your submission won’t be considered “complete” until we receive your canvas. You will receive a confirmation email when your canvas and application have been received by the CITE Administration Team.

Don’t have an idea but want to be part of a project? Teams are always looking for passionate entrepreneurs with any background to form a diverse, interdisciplinary team that can increase their chances of success. Please fill out this form and we will connect you with teams that are looking for people like you.

If you have any questions or problems submitting your application, please contact Erica Clark at cite@utsa.edu or at 412-398-1784.

Past Winners

Overwatch, 1st Place
Day in the Life, 2nd Place
Advanced Intelligence Travel Services, 3rd Place

T4 Movement, 1st Place
First Watch, 2nd Place
Prestige Worldwide, 2nd Place
HelioSucrose, 3rd Place 
Learn more about the winning teams

MECM Medical, 1st Place
Panic Relief, 2nd Place
Not Only Chicken B2B, 3rd Place

Novothelium, 1st place
STEMpak, 2nd place
Smart Road Sensors & Face Inc., 3rd place