The University of Virginia Entrepreneurship Cup Launch Competition will close out the Tom Tom Innovation Summit by spotlighting the next generation of founders building ventures with real traction and real market potential.
Hosted by UVA Foundry, the Entrepreneurship Cup is the university’s premier venture competition, culminating in the Launch Competition where student led startups compete for more than $100,000 in cash prizes to accelerate their path to market.
Unlike traditional pitch competitions, teams entering the Launch Competition must already have a working minimum viable product and demonstrated customer validation. The result is a dynamic showcase of ventures that are not just ideas but emerging companies ready to scale.
Open to both undergraduate and graduate students from across the university, the competition highlights the interdisciplinary nature of entrepreneurship at UVA. Founders from engineering, business, public policy, design, and the sciences come together to tackle real world challenges with innovative solutions.
During this closing session, finalists will pitch their ventures live to a panel of judges composed of investors, ecosystem leaders, and experienced entrepreneurs. Winners will be awarded a share of more than $100,000 in non dilutive funding along with access to the Startup Depot perks platform, providing over $100,000 in startup credits, tools, and discounts to help fuel early growth.
More than a competition, the Entrepreneurship Cup represents the culmination of months of mentorship, product development, and customer discovery. It also serves as a launchpad for student founders stepping into the broader innovation ecosystem.
As the closing session of the Summit, the Launch Competition celebrates the entrepreneurial talent emerging from UVA while reinforcing the region’s commitment to supporting founders from idea to impact.
Attendees will leave inspired by the creativity, ambition, and determination of the next generation of entrepreneurs shaping the future.
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Note: This Summit session is ticketed.
Please purchase your
tickets on Humanitix. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.
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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tourism, R.L. Beyer Custom Homes, Ludwig Kuttner, and The City of Charlottesville
