Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge

Boise State University’s Venture College and Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity are excited to offer the Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge to higher education students across Idaho.

Participants will form interdisciplinary teams to solve cybersecurity challenges faced across the globe…while building a venture!

Participants will work closely with leaders in the industry, and pitch for cash prizes. Finalists will pitch during Boise Entrepreneur Week!

September 8 + 22, 2021 (6-7 pm MT)

Information Sessions
In-Person at Venture College or Virtually via Zoom

October 11 – 17, 2021

Venture Creation

October 18, 2021

Preliminary Pitch Competition

Week of October 18, 2021

Finalists Pitch during Boise Entrepreneur Week

The Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge is open to higher education students across Idaho.

We encourage participants to work on interdisciplinary teams, bringing together computer scientists, engineers, marketers, artists, and a host of others. We will also encourage students to look beyond their own institution to find the right partners for their team.

Venture College will help match students to teams when the program begins. If you don’t have a team in mind, not to worry, as we will help!

If you have formed a team, please still have each member apply individually. Once you have completed your applications, send an email to us at venturecollege@boisestate.edu with a list of your teammates.

During this weeklong program, participants will work closely with the Venture College team and a community of mentors to refine their solutions into ventures through research, customer discovery, and idea validation.

Venture College will host lessons, brainstorming sessions with industry leaders, practice pitches with mentors, and one-on-one meetings to help teams prepare. 

The Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge will culminate with a pitch to industry experts, entrepreneurs, and investors. Judges will determine the top three teams to pitch for cash prizes during this year’s Boise Entrepreneur Week (October 18-21, 2021).

Participants will have the chance to work with industry leaders, developing a strong network that will last well beyond the competition.

In addition to these connections, there will be funding awarded to the top three teams in both tracks.

Please check back for more information about these awards.