The Connect Challenge, a pitch competition hosted by IU College of Arts and Sciences, gives students the opportunity to develop and hone their entrepreneurial ideas for a professional audience.
“Somewhat different than typical business pitch competitions, all that’s needed to apply is an idea! Manifestations of the idea (prototypes, patents, launched businesses, market viable products) are not required,” said Andrea White, director of external relations at the Walter Center for Career Achievement. “What stands out in an application is the unique and innovative ideas you have to solve a problem or meet a need.”
Selected finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges consisting of industry professionals and College alumni at Walter Center’s Connect Conference in April. Participants are encouraged to develop unique entrepreneurial ideas in one of the three categories: Creative Endeavors, Non-Profit and Social Good, or Startups and Technology.
Grace Estes, a sophomore in the College studying English, won last year in the Creative Endeavors category for her young adult novel, titled “The Toy Box.” Her Tolkien-inspired novel imitates the process of reconciling with one’s own childhood trauma. She first conceptualized this idea in the Fall 2023 course “Critical Approaches to the Arts and Humanities: J.R.R. Tolkien and the Roots of Modern Fantasy” with English professor Joey McMullen. He became her faculty advisor, helping her refine her pitch and summary for the Challenge.
“What was initially daunting to me was looking at what I had proposed as a novel and trying to frame it within the Connect Challenge’s requirements.”
In the Spring, she continued to work with Professor McMullen, presenting her pitch to classmates and practicing a Q&A in real-time.
“I had a lot of preparation that can’t be simulated without a faculty advisor,” Estes said. “I’m lucky that I had a lot of people to work with.”
Estes also conducted extensive online research to learn more about the therapies she applies in her novel and prepare her pitch summary. She admitted that, at first, fitting her novel into the Challenge’s requirements felt intimidating:
“What was initially daunting to me was looking at what I had proposed as a novel and trying to frame it within the Connect Challenge’s requirements.”
With Professor McMullen’s help, she structured her novel to fit in the Challenge’s competitive format.
Brian Rosen pitched his holistic wellness beverage Evervive, in the Startups and Technology category.
Brian Rosen, a sophomore studying Entrepreneurship, Finance and Operations Management pitched his holistic wellness beverage Evervive, in the Startups and Technology category. Rosen focused on practice to make his successful pitch.
“I believe the philosophy that practice makes perfect. Pitching a product or idea, getting up there in front of judges, it’s naturally an uncomfortable experience,” Rosen said. You can feel very nervous. And the only way to get better at it is just continue doing it.”
Rosen has since continued to grow his business, selling Evervive in seven locations in Bloomington, three in Dallas, and one in Chicago.
“Being surrounded by so many innovative minds was inspiring.”
Molly Radecki, who was working toward a Ph.D. in Media Studies last year, won forMotherlode Bingo,an out of order checklist for mothers who are trying to balance their daily lives and motherhood.
“I loved seeing the creativity and thoughtfulness of participants across different disciplines,” Radecki said. “It was exciting to connect with entrepreneurial-minded people outside of my field and to learn from their perspectives. Being surrounded by so many innovative minds was inspiring.” The Connect Challenge provides IU students the opportunity to launch an idea, receive feedback, and collaborate with others. “This is a space where your most authentic, creative ideas will be supported and nurtured,” Radecki said.
Connect Challenge applications are open February 28 through March 16 to any IU Bloomington student. The Connect Challenge takes place on Friday, April 4, 2025.
2024 Winners
Creative Endeavors
First Place: Grace Estes
Runner-up: Molly Radecki
Non-Profit and Social Good
First Place: Chase Isghoni, A.B. Sako, Jaden Edmonds, Talayeh Marshall, Wodsander Maxime
Runners-up: Carina Wang
Tech and Start-Ups
First Place: Rahul Guhan, Rohan Ayyer
Runner-up: Brian Rosen
Getting Started with College Resources
Authors
Kelsey Steiner (B.A. ’26), and Halla Terris (B.A. ’25)