How to Apply

September 10, 2021 

Pitch your big idea and win $1000 to make it happen! The first 25 applicants get in. Applicant 26 and higher are placed on a waiting list in the order of submission.

Winners must be undergraduates for the duration of the Big iDeas Pitch phase, from contest to Demo Fair Day in the spring. 

Review & complete:

WINNERS

You'll have until February and up to $1,000 to build your prototype or pilot with the support of SMU's Big iDeas team. You'll have 24/7 access to the Incubator@SMU in suite 700 of Expressway Tower.

Please see this document for guidelines about reimbursements.

Questions?

Drop us a note at bigideas@smu.edu.

Spring 2021 2022

  • In Fondren Library 

Review & complete:

Submit application by Spring deadline 

WINNERS

You'll have one year and $5,000 to build your startup with the help & support of SMU's Big iDeas team. You'll have 24/7 access to the Incubator@SMU in suite 700 of Expressway Tower.

Award Reimbursements requests are due before the date that you graduate from SMU. Please see this document for guidelines.

Questions?

Drop us a note at bigideas@smu.edu.

Big iDeas Dates and Deadlines

2021 BIG IDEAS PITCH CONTEST

Aug. 23 - Sept. 8 

Apply to Big iDeas during annual application cycle - by 11:59pm.

Sept. 10 

Big iDeas Pitch Contest winners announced

OCT- JAN

Build prototype or pilot project over next 3 months. 
May also choose to develop big idea as a business plan.

SPRING 

Present results at Demo Day fair. Stop or continue to Big iDeas Business Plan.

2022 BIG IDEAS BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION

SPRING 2022

Apply to Big iDeas Business Plan Competition by 11:59 pm on this date.

SPRING 2022 

Pitch Big iDeas Business Plan for $5000 and one year to launch business.

Over the next 12 months

Launch business with $5000 in start-up funds.

Early Spring Semester 2023

Present results at next year's Demo Day fair. Stop or compete for continued funding in the next Big iDeas Business Plan Competition.