At the intersection of entrepreneurship and investment, the Galant Challenge brings together promising ventures and the investors who can help take them to the next level. Hosted by the University of Virginia through the Galant Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Galant Challenge has become one of the nation’s premier university startup showcases.
During this special session at the Tom Tom Innovation Summit, a curated group of seed through early stage ventures connected to the UVA community will pitch their companies live to a panel of experienced investors. What unfolds is a rare, behind the scenes look at how real investment conversations happen—complete with probing questions, strategic feedback, and potential deal making.
Since its launch in 2012, the Galant Challenge has helped connect founders from the UVA community with millions of dollars in investment capital. In recent years alone, participating companies have collectively secured millions in funding commitments, with some cohorts surpassing $5 million in investment following their presentations.
Unlike traditional pitch competitions that award prize money, the Galant Challenge focuses on something more powerful: real capital and real investor relationships. Selected ventures represent some of the most promising startups emerging from the UVA ecosystem—founded by students, alumni, faculty, and community entrepreneurs working across industries from AI and climate tech to healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
For founders, it is an opportunity to secure investment and build lasting relationships with investors. For investors and ecosystem leaders, it is a front row seat to the next generation of ventures emerging from one of the nation’s most dynamic university innovation communities.
As part of the Innovation Summit program, the Galant Challenge showcases the powerful role universities play in translating ideas into companies—and companies into economic impact. It is where bold ideas meet capital, and where the future of entrepreneurship begins to take shape.
The 2026 Galant Challenge Showcase schedule: 2pm - 7pm: Student Venture DemosExplore a gallery of student startups
and speak to founders about their work.
Co-sponsored by The Foundry.2:30pm - 3:30pm: Venture Capital Panel Discussion
An intimate conversation with investors,
for students curious about what funders
look for in a pitch and how deals are sourced.
4pm - 6pm: Showcase of Investee Finalists
The highlight of our program:
UVA-affiliated startups, selected for up
to $6 million in investment, pitch live and take
questions from potential investors.
Investee Finalists: BUILT Biotechnologies -- George McArthur
Niobium -- Bobby MacKinnon
Hardshell -- Andrew Schoka
Terra Kaffe -- Sahand Dilmaghani
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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
