Do you have a big idea you'd like to bring to life? Have you been thinking of your next art, social good, or business project? Whether it's a screenplay, an innovative product that could change the way we live, or an idea that makes society better, there is a place for every idea in the Connect Challenge. Past ideas that have been submitted include plays, environmental projects, documentary films, ideas for apps, community art installations, new non-profit organizations and business ideas.
Please thoroughly read the following guidelines before submitting your application.
Must be enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington during the Spring 2026 semester
May enter on your own or with a team of up to five people
Individual applicants must have a major in the College of Arts and Sciences
If applying as a team, all members must be enrolled at IU Bloomington and at least one member must have a major in the College of Arts and Sciences (that member must submit the application on the group's behalf)
Students who previously entered may apply again, but must past winners must apply with a different idea
The only thing needed to apply is an idea! Manifestations of the idea (prototypes, patents, launched businesses, market viable products) are not required to apply. The idea must be the student’s own. Students may apply to one of three categories. The categories are:
Creative Endeavors
Ideas in which the main objective is to create or manufacture something. The idea can, but does not need to, generate revenue or solve an overt issue.
Ex: Fine arts projects, film or tv scripts, music compositions, creative writing projects.
Nonprofit + Social Good
Ideas in which the main objective is to address a problem faced by humans or the planet, typically generating revenue not from the sale of goods or services but from donations, grants, membership fees, or public funding.
Ex: public programs, environmental programs, consumer products, business models that give back, research, investigative journalism.
Startups and Businesses
Ideas that are typically seen at pitch competitions, in which the idea addresses a problem and generates ongoing revenue through the sale of goods or services.
Ex: Software as a service (SaaS), phone apps, consumer products, medical devices, inventions.
Information Session A 1-hour virtual event in which students can learn about the competition, ask questions, and receive expert advice. This event will be recorded.
The online application asks for student information, a summary, and a pitch deck.
The summary is a 1-page document that outlines what the idea is and why it should be pursued. The summary must be a PDF document. The pitch deck is a 10-slide maximum slideshow that shows what the idea is and why it should be pursued. The pitch deck must be a Microsoft PowerPoint document.
Successful summaries and pitch decks typically address:
The problem – why should the idea be pursued?
The solution – what is your idea?
The team – who is involved in bringing the idea to life?
The audience – who benefits from the idea?
The challenges – what are potential setbacks, and how will you address them
The plan – how will this idea come to life?
For intial applications and for finalists who compete in-person, ideas will be evaluated based on the core values of the IU College of Arts + Sciences. The following criteria is scored from 1-5. The final score is the sum of each.
Question Critically Did the student/s question the status quo? Are they solving a problem? Is the reason behind this idea compelling?
Think Logically Did the student/s create a plan for their idea? Did they analyze a target audience, challenges, or resources? How viable is this plan? Will it work?
Communicate Clearly How well did the student/s convey their idea? Is it clear what it is? How was the overall presentation?
Act Creatively Is the idea innovative? Are there elements that are particularly imaginative or creative?
Live Ethically Did the student/s analyze the ethical implications of the idea? You do not have to agree with the ethics – but have they been addressed?
After the initial application closes, a committee comprised of IU staff will select five (5) ideas from each category that will pitch their idea in person at the Connect Challenge. Those finalists will be notified via email.
Finalists are expected to:
Complete a finalist form and submit polished materials
Schedule and attend a 1:1 coaching feedback session with IU Innovates
Pitch in person at the Connect Challenge
Attend the Connect Challenge awards ceremony
Maintain timely and responsive communication with the selection committee
Applicants who are not chosen as finalists will automatically be placed on a waiting list. If any finalist cannot compete in the Connect Challenge, the students on the waiting list may be invited to pitch their idea at The Connect Challenge.
Finalists will potentially have their name, photos, and brief information about their idea shared on a slideshow during the Connect Challenge awards ceremony and on the Walter Center website. Finalists will have an opportunity to consent to this in their finalist form
The Connect Challenge will take place in-person on Friday, April 10, 2026. Students will pitch their ideas in front of a panel of judges. A computer and projector will be available. Each idea category will have a distinct panel of judges and ideas will only be judged with other ideas in the same category. For example, an idea from the creative endeavors category will not be competing with ideas from the startups category.
The general public is welcome to watch pitches. Finalists are also invited to watch the pitches of other finalists. We ask that everyone in the audience show respect to the people pitching.
Each room/category will have the following volunteer staff: An emcee to host the event, a timekeeper, a doorkeeper, and a panel of 3-5 judges. The emcee will give opening statements, and then invite the finalists to the “stage” to pitch their idea. Finalists are expected to be in the room (or just outside the door) and ready at their assigned pitch time. The doorkeeper will close the door while finalists are pitching, and people will be asked to limit entering and leaving during a pitch.
Finalists will have a total of 20 minutes in front of the judges – 10 minutes to pitch their idea and 10 minutes to answer questions from the judges. Only judges may ask questions; the audience will be asked to withhold questions. After all ideas have been pitched, the judges will have time alone to decide the winners.
Winners will be announced at a luncheon and awards ceremony held the same day as the idea competition.
After winners are determined, prize money will be awarded to the students as an academic scholarship on their IU Bursar accounts. If the recipients are a team, the scholarship money will be divided evenly among the team members.
The value of this prize will be reported to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. This prize will reduce the financial aid for any students who are 21st Century Covenant recipients, Groups recipients, or Pell Promise recipients by its total value. The prize will also reduce the student’s loans or Federal Work Study if they have reached their cost of attendance. Please note that awards over $600 will be reported on the IRS Form 1099-MISC by Indiana University. The IRS has stipulated amounts less than $600 must be self-reported by the recipient on their personal tax return. Please consult with your personal tax advisor for any questions or concerns
At any time between 6 months and 1 year after the competition, the Walter Center will contact the finalists to see where their idea has taken them.
