Kuzneski Innovation Cup

Fueling Big Ideas. Empowering Student Innovators.

Do you have an idea that you can’t stop thinking about, even if it is just on the back of a napkin? The Kuzneski Innovation Cup is here to help you take the first real steps to turning your innovative concept into a real-world solution.

The Kuzneski Innovation Cup is a pitch competition built with early-stage ideas in mind (concepts that are still forming, evolving, or being figured out). Whether you’re just beginning to explore a solution to a problem or starting to shape a potential venture, this is your opportunity to get support, guidance, and potential funding to move your idea forward. Students who are are invited to pitch will have a shot a piece of the $25,000 prize pool.

You don’t need a finished product. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a spark of an idea and the motivation to explore what it could become.

Students who apply to the Kuzneski Innovation Cup are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to participate in Big Idea Blitz for exposure to key innovation concepts, an inside look at competition judging criteria, a chance to practice their pitch, and access to a library of resources meant to help you move forward.

What is in it for you?

  • Momentum for your idea: Get the structure and motivation to move your idea from a concept to a tangible net step.
  • Skill building: Learn how to talk about your idea, define your value, and think like an innovator. You’ll walk away with new skills in pitching, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking. These skills will help you move forward long after this competition is over.
  • Connection to campus resources: Utilize our staff of entrepreneurs in residence, industry experts who provide their time to students for one-on-one coaching and guidance. Additionally, gain access to library of resources curated to help you develop your idea and hone your pitch.
  • Experience for your resume or portfolio: Participating in a university-level innovation competition shows initiative, creativity, and leadership. All of these are qualities that stand out to employers, grad schools, and accelerators.
  • A chance to win funding at an early stage: The Kuzneski Innovation Cup is unique in that it supports students just getting started. You will not be judged on a polished product or prototype. Your ideas have potential at all stages.

Who should apply?

The Kuzneski Innovation Cup is open to all Pitt-student-led and Pitt-student-founded ideas in their early stages. We encourage you to apply if you are:

  • In the ideation or exploration phase
  • Curious and passionate about solving a real-world problem
  • Excited to experiment, learn, and grow
  • Open to feedback and eager to develop

Whether your ideas is a product, a service, a social initiative, or something in between, this is your chance to see where it can go.

Open to University of Pittsburgh students* in any major or student level, as well as Pitt postdocs or UPMC residents, who want to explore a new idea and kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.

How to apply…

Applications for the 2025 Kuzneski Innovation Cup are now open! Apply today by having your team lead complete the Team Lead/Idea Application. All participating team members except the team lead MUST also register using the Additional Team Member Registration link below. If you are entering this competition as a single-person team, please fill out the Team Lead/Idea Application. You can preview the application before applying.

Team Lead/Idea Application

ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBER REGISTRATION

*The Kuzneski Innovation Cup, along with all Big Idea Center competitions and/or funding opportunities, is primarily open to current University of Pittsburgh students. For more information, see “Eligibility” requirements below.

Eligibility

  • Teams must be Pitt-student-founded and Pitt-student-led.
  • Pitt students must be actively enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh for the duration of the competition.
  • Students from other institutions are welcome to participate but may not present on behalf of the team and are not eligible for any potential prize money.
  • All ideas must be legal in the state of Pennsylvania at the time of application.
  • Ideas must be in their early stages (if you have questions about your idea’s eligibility, please reach out to a member of Big Idea Center staff). What does this mean?
    • Idea may not be ready for spinout or have a completed prototype, but you have a clear sense of what you are working on and how you would like to move forward.
    • At this stage, you might have:
      • A rough outline of your idea (enough to give a 1-2-minute elevator pitch and work towards a longer, 5-7-minute pitch)
      • Done informal research, like talking to friends, classmates, and professors
      • Started exploring what already exists and how your idea might be different
    • Early stage ideas are about exploration, not perfection. The goal is to start testing, asking questions, and figuring out what comes next.

We are looking for NEW ideas that are at the beginning stages of their development. Therefore, we will NOT be accepting teams who have placed in any major competitions at the Big Idea Center or closely related competitions or programs, those that have been working to commercialize for some time, or existing companies.

IMPORTANT 2025 DATES:

Days, times, and location for Kuzneski Innovation Cup (KIC) events are subject to change.

Application & Elevator Pitch Submission Deadline – Sunday, October 5 @ 11:59 P.M. (online)

  • October 6-19: Application review and team interviews (Qualifying teams will be emailed to set an appointment for their team interview with a Big Idea Center entrepreneur in residence)
  • Monday, October 20, by EOD (email): Notification of selection into live presentation round on November 7
  • Friday, November 7, time TBD (in-person @ Big Idea Center): Live presentation round with the Kuzneski’s and industry panel of guest judges
    • Timeslots to be scheduled with eligible teams the week of October 20, more information to come
    • Teams will be asked to prepare a 5-7-minute pitch (with slides)
    • More information on presentation requirements will be provided to teams at the time of pitch scheduling
  • Wednesday, November 12, 5:00-7:00 P.M. (in-person, Location TBD): Celebration and award presentation

Details regarding presentation round scheduling as well as important team information will be emailed directly to participating teams.

Video Submissions

To participate in the Kuzneski Innovation Cup, all teams are required to submit a 60-90-second filmed elevator pitch as part of their application materials. Submissions are due by October 5 @ 11:59 P.M.

Any questions should be directed to Rankin Tran at rtran@innovation.pitt.edu.

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