Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge

Mini-Pitch Competition

Venture College and the Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity are excited to offer the Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge, presented by Clearwater Analytics and Boise State University.

This is a ‘mini-pitch’ competition where students in higher education, with a solution in the cyber realm, are welcome to compete. If you need inspiration on a cyber problem to tackle, feel free to select from one of these problem statements, however this is not required.

If you need connections to industry leaders to better understand or elaborate on a problem and talk through your solution, please reach out and Venture College can make a connection. If you would like a mentor throughout this process, please connect with the Venture College.

Review 2023 Problem Statements

Who Can Apply?

Open to higher education students across the state of Idaho.

If applying as a team, at least one member of your team must be a registered student at a college or university in Idaho.

We encourage participants to work on interdisciplinary teams, and to look beyond their own institution to find the right partners for their team.

If you are applying as an individual, Venture College will help match students to teams when the program begins.

Virtual Informational Meeting

1. Tuesday, September 26th, 5 – 6 pm MT

All participants are encouraged to attend the informational session to learn more about the competition, how to develop their solution, and build their pitch/slide deck.

If you can’t attend, please connect with us separately and we will find another time to meet.

• Zoom Link: https://boisestate.zoom.us/j/97766871283?pwd=aHdtZzBNdE83NURrbnlTdDBOTlJldz09
• Meeting ID: 977 6687 1283
• Passcode: 872843

Schedule time with the Venture College team, HERE, if you can’t attend or would like to practice your pitch ahead of the competition.

2. Cash Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finalists at the Cybersecurity Mini-Pitch.

1. First: $750
2. Second: $500
3. Third: $250
4. Crowd Favorite: $150

3. In-person Prelims + Finals

The Cybersecurity Mini-Pitch Prelims and Finals take place in-person Tuesday, October 3rd at 4:30 pm at JUMP in the Loft at Boise Entrepreneur Week.

• Prelims | 2 minute pitch to various judges. No slide deck.
• Finals | 4 min pitch with slide deck on stage. 3-4 finalists will be pitching to a larger audience

Spring 2024 Competition

Check back soon for more details! Venture College and the Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity will host a larger pitch competition in the spring.

Teams that pitch in the Mini Pitch Competition are encouraged to continue building off their ideas, and return to pitch during this competition as well.