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.
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.
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?
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
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.
| September 8th, 2024 | Video Pitches due at 11:59 pm |
| September 10th, 2024 | Acceptance emails go out & start-up advisors are assigned |
| October 5th, 2024 |
Day of Innovation (This innovation lab will focus on refining your pitches & developing your business model)
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| October 10th, 2024 | Finish Canvas Workshop modules & submit your business model |
| October 14th, 2024 | Announce Finalists (5 teams/individuals will advance to pitch their ideas) |
| October 17th, 2024 |
Present on Pitch Day for a chance to win seed funding for your idea
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Throughout the competition, you'll also engage in meetings with your team and start-up advisor, this will be scheduled by you and your team. Participants must meet with their start-up advisor at least 3 times prior to pitch day.
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
Elisium, 1st Place
Nourish'd Seeds LLC, 2nd Place
ZenVent, 3rd Place
Overwatch, 1st Place
Day in the Life, 2nd Place
Advanced Intelligence Travel Services, 3rd 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
