Big Idea Competition (BIC)
Big Idea Competition : who can apply, what you get and when it opens.
Some program details are not available yet. Check current requirements, deadlines, and terms before you apply. Official program page
Who it is for
The competition lists undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D., and alumni tracks. Student entrants must be currently enrolled in a UT Dallas degree-seeking program. Published startup rules include a requirement that the company was founded within the past three years, no more than $2 million in equity raised before March 2025, and annual revenue of no more than $1 million before March 2025.
Check if you are eligible
Check your eligibility for Big Idea Competition (BIC)Admissions and application
For the listed 2025–26 cycle, UT Dallas directed entrants to manage applications through StartupTree. The application deadline was February 15, 2026; the supplied evidence does not state a deadline for a later cycle.
Benefits
The competition page advertises a $350,000 total prize pool: track prizes of $50,000, $30,000, and $20,000, plus five specialty awards of $10,000 each. These are advertised awards, not guaranteed payments to every entrant.
Timeline
For the listed 2025–26 cycle, applications opened December 1, 2025, closed February 15, 2026, and culminated in a finale on April 14, 2026. These dates describe a completed cycle; the supplied evidence does not establish dates for a future cycle.
What came of it
UT Dallas reported that nine finalist teams competed for $330,000 in prize money at the April 14, 2026 competition. The university also reported three $10,000 special awards and $20,000 reserved for entrepreneurship scholarships.
How to go about it
- Read what it asks for
Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.
- Have something to show
Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.
- Apply the way the program asks
The program has not published how to apply. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.
Questions about this program
Who is eligible to enter?
The competition lists undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D., and alumni tracks. Student entrants must be currently enrolled in a UT Dallas degree-seeking program. Published startup rules require that a company was founded within the past three years and set equity-raised and annual-revenue ceilings tied to amounts before March 2025.
How did applicants apply for the 2025–26 cycle, and when did it close?
UT Dallas directed entrants to manage applications through StartupTree. The listed cycle closed on February 15, 2026; the supplied evidence does not give dates for another cycle.
About Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas
Empowering innovation and entrepreneurship at UT Dallas.
From public sources
What the sources say about Big Idea Competition (BIC)
The university reported three $10,000 special awards and $20,000 set aside for entrepreneurship scholarships.
Source: Draper Pitch Competition Awards Record Prizes to Comet StartupsUT Dallas reported nine finalist teams competing for $330,000 on April 14, 2026.
Source: Draper Pitch Competition Awards Record Prizes to Comet StartupsThe three tracks carry $50,000/$30,000/$20,000 awards, and the page lists five $10,000 specialty awards.
Source: Draper Pitch CompetitionUT Dallas advertises a $350,000 total prize pool.
Source: Draper Pitch CompetitionUT Dallas lists a December 1, 2025 opening, February 15, 2026 deadline and April 14, 2026 finale.
Source: Draper Pitch CompetitionUT Dallas directs entrants to manage applications through StartupTree.
Source: Draper Pitch Competition
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