2 Day Startup

Pitch an idea. Team up. Launch your idea in a weekend.

Activate your innovation and entrepreneurial potential and kickstart your idea at IWU's 2 Day Startup (2DS)!  This annual event brings together students and community members across all disciplines for a unique opportunity to collaborate, spark new creativity, and make transformative change.

You will have the opportunity to work together, alone, or in small groups to bring an idea to life. By the end of the second day, each team will pitch their startup business to a group of panelists for a chance to receive $3,000 in seed funding!  No matter your experience or entrepreneurial background, this event will give you the necessary tools and skills to effectively launch a business, product, or service.presenting

Event Details

Friday Nov. 12th from 4 - 8 PM and Saturday Nov. 13th from 10 - 2 PM at the IDEA Center

 

No idea? No problem!

If you don't have an idea for a startup, that's OK!  You just might have your "aha moment" on the first day during our kick-off brainstorming session!  - Or  -  There will also be an opportunity for you to choose which idea you like the most and join their team. 2 Day Startup is designed to build a new venture with a team, not by yourself.
 

Benefits of Participating

  • Share ideas and work closely with driven, co-collaborators and innovators with a diverse skill set that could result in something magical! 
  • Learn how to turn an idea into a venture - then immediately take steps to put it into practice.
  • Grow your idea with the help of experienced business owners, mentors, and professors.
  • Expand your network and build your community.
 

Eligibility/Rules

  • All IWU students, local small business owners and community members are welcome to participate.
  • You must be able to attend a large majority of the 2DS weekend, your team will be depending upon you.
  • If you would like to participate but have a scheduling conflict, please contact gleach@iwu.edu.
  • The group to present the most compelling pitch will receive $3,000 to help fund their venture!
*** Please note: Funding will not be awarded until the individual winner(s) meet (no longer than 15 minutes) with a member of the IWU Innovation Committee to discuss the potential of their idea and how the committee can be of assistance to the individual. Future milestones may be required for continued funding and mentorship.  


mentor session at 3DSGet Involved

Interested in participating a different way?     

Volunteer - help run our 2 Day Startup event
Mentor - interact with & provide guidance to teams
Panelist - sit on the judging panel
Partner - benefit from contributing to this weekend of innovation 
Sponsorship - Opportunity to financially support (in kind, donation or providing free professional expertise) this wonderful event. 
 
 

 

Spring 2019 Competition 


Constantine Vessol ’20, Jacque Rupprecht ’22, Keenan Scott ’21, Daniel Gibbons ’22, Jake Arthur ’21

Congratulations to the First Annual 3 Day Startup Recipients!

PieceofMind (team pictured) won our 1st annual 3DS!
Their startup idea?  To create a smart wristband designed for elementary through high school students to wear while at school.  This will help administrators, teachers, and first responders instantly locate students on a secure location app in case of an emergency.  
 
Runner-up awards went to:
  • PostAR
  • SizeMeSimply
  • Foodscape
  • Clean Cut Media
  • Maximum Potential
We are very proud of each student-led team, who demonstrated an incredible amount of ingenuity, hard work, and professionalism throughout this competition.  We're excited to see how these startups grow and develop!