Timeline and Awards
View the 2026 Big Ideas Challenge timeline and awards available. Stay on track with key competition dates and deadlines, explore the prizes awarded to top teams, and learn how the first-place winner advances as an automatic semifinalist in the Minnesota Cup.
2026 BIC Timeline
- Monday, Auguts 24 – Applications Open
- Sunday, September 27 – Applications Due (at midnight)
- Monday, October 5 – Finalist Notified
- Mid-October – Finalist and Mentor Meetings
- Monday, November 2 – Business Plans Due
- Friday, November 6 – Individual Rehearsals with CIE Team
- Friday, November 13 – Slick Decks Due
- Monday, November 16 – Event Rehearsal with CIE Team
- Wednesday, November 18 – Live Pitch Event
Learn more about eligibility and the application process.
Awards
Winners will be selected based on business plan and pitch scores (50% each).
Awards
- 1st Place and Minnesota Cup automatic semi-finalist: $3,000
- 2nd Place: $2,000
- 3rd Place: $1,000
- People’s Choice (live audience voting during live pitch event): $1,000
Winners pledge, if they are students, to remain in college until graduation or for one year after receipt of the prize funds. All winners agree to participate in the Big Ideas Challenge judging or live pitch event the following year.
Minnesota Cup
All participants are encouraged to apply for the Minnesota Cup Competition in addition to Big Ideas.
The winner of the general student competition of the Big Ideas Challenge will automatically move to the student semifinals in the Minnesota Cup (held the following October).
There are thousands of applications to the Minnesota Cup each year, so becoming an automatic semi-finalist is a tremendous boost toward that $50,000 Student Division prize. By submitting your application to Big Ideas, you agree to participate in the Minnesota Cup, if you are selected as the first-place competition winner.
