Big iDeas

Are you an entrepreneur with amazing ideas? Take action! SMU's Big iDeas program guides undergraduate students to make their ideas a reality.

Make your ideas a reality

Anish Senthilkumar pitching on a Big iDeas contest

Big iDeas Business Plan Competition

Pitch to a panel of business experts for up to $5000 in start-up funds. 4 minute pitch + 2 minute Q&A.

Competition: October 3rd, 2025

Big iDeas Pitch Contest

Big iDeas Pitch Contest

Pitch your Big iDea in 90 seconds for a chance to win up to $1,000 in seed funding to launch your startup or project.

Competition: October 30th, 2025

ACC InVenture Prize Competition

Apply for a chance to pitch your business and battle against the best entrepreneurs in the ACC.  

Competition: April 2026

Big iDeas Marketplace

Sell your products or demo your app! All student, faculty, staff, and alumni entrepreneurs are welcome to come and network with your fellow  entrepreneurs at the Big iDeas Marketplace.
E-Launch

E-Launch

The Big iDeas E-Launch Series is a FREE series of workshops and guest speakers to guide you in the creation of your idea.
Women's Innovative Network

Women's Innovative Network

W.I.N cultivates a dynamic network that empowers women to innovate, connect, and support each other in their entrepreneurial and research endeavors. 

Welcome from our Entrepreneurship Fellow

Upcoming Big iDeas events

  • E-Launch Bootcamp: Human-Centered Desgin

    Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 5:00pmPrivate Location (sign in to display) Join Alain Mota (SMU) and the Big iDeas team for a hands-on workshop on Human-Centered Design (MADI), where students will learn how to design...

  • Big iDeas Ideation Session

    Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 2:00pmPrivate Location (sign in to display) Are you thinking about about applying to pitch in the Big iDeas Pitch Contest? Come join the Big iDeas Entrepreneurship Fellow and receive coaching...

  • Big iDeas Ideation Session

    Monday, February 16, 2026, 2:00pmPrivate Location (sign in to display) Are you thinking about about applying to pitch in the Big iDeas Pitch Contest? Come join the Big iDeas Entrepreneurship Fellow and receive coaching...

  • SMU x UTD TEAM HUNT

    Friday, February 20, 2026, 1:00pmPrivate Location (sign in to display) SAVE THE DATE: SMU x UTD TEAM HUNT Find Your Co-Founder. Build Your Startup. Wednesday, February 20, 2026 1:00 – 3:00 PM SMU (Location TBA)...

Contact and coaching

Our staff is available to meet with you for coaching or general questions about entrepreneurship.

Contact Olivia Prioleau, Project Specialist, with general questions: oprioleau@smu.edu

Set up a meeting:

Olivia Prioleau, Project Specialist

Jennifer Ebinger, Executive Director

Adam Scott Neal, Program Manager

Want to join a startup?

Interested in being part of a start-up? Let us know the skills you can bring to our entrepreneurs. Get on the ground floor of something Big.

Entrepreneurship News

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