2025 Draper competition opens with expanded $100,000 prize

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 — Applications are now open for the third annual UTSA Draper Data Science Business Plan Competition, featuring an increased prize of $100,000. The competition, set to take place on Friday, April 18, at the UTSA School of Data Science (SDS), invites university students from across North America to pitch data-driven business ideas to a panel of judges.

The Draper Competition was originally established in 2020, thanks to a $1 million donation from third-generation venture capitalist and founder of Draper University Timothy Draper and his wife,  Melissa Parker Draper. The UTSA competition is unique for its focus on data science and its applications in entrepreneurship. Ideas showcased at the previous competitions have included the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve cancer treatments, innovations to assist people with impairments, and new approaches to recruit soccer players and improve team performance.

“Part of the mission this year is to make the competition bigger and better, to try and appeal to more universities outside the Texas area,” said Amanda Brown, associate director of strategic initiatives in the SDS.

“We’re giving them the opportunity to receive funding for their business idea and focusing on their professional development and soft skills.”

In keeping with the goal of bigger and better, the 2025 Draper Competition is increasing its prize money from $75,000 to $100,000, with the additional funds to be awarded at the judges’ discretion. By raising the stakes even higher, Brown says the organizers hope to keep Draper 2025 as competitive as possible while also maintaining high standards for the competing teams.

To further enhance the contestants’ competitive edge and aligned to UTSA’s emphasis on experiential learning, this year’s competition will include a workshop to help applicants polish their ideas and brush up on their presentation skills. Workshop participants will receive tips for solidifying their business plans and improving their pitches, after which they’ll have the chance to submit their materials for the final round of the competition.

“This is one way to help them become more competitive when they take the stage for the finals,” Brown said. “We’re giving them the opportunity to receive funding for their business idea and focusing on their professional development and soft skills.” 

With expansion efforts targeting universities from Canada to Mexico, UTSA is hoping to attract an even wider array of contestants.

"All the ideas we get are great,” Brown said. “All of the teams that have been applying are strong. That’s the feedback I’ve received from judges and even from other competitors. I’m hoping that this year we can make it even more competitive and that the proposals we receive bring forward approaches we’ve never seen before.”

The Draper Data Science Business Plan Competition aims to empower students with a platform to make a real-world impact through data science and entrepreneurship. Applications for the first phase of the competition will close on January 4, 2025.

— Christopher Reichert and Rosalinda Montero