De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition and Incubator Program
NIU undergraduate and graduate students from all majors are invited to participate in the Incubator Program, and business, nonprofit, or project ideas from all industries are welcome.
At this time, we will accept business or nonprofit ideas at any stage of development. Whether you are in the ideation stage or scaling and growth, you are invited to participate. Ultimately, if you are a problem-solver and believe in opportunity recognition, you are the perfect candidate for this program.
In order to compete in the pitch competition, teams must attend the spring Incubator Program workshops to be equipped with the foundational skills necessary to present a feasible idea.
Registration due February 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
See our "schedule" section for more information on the Incubator Program.
Prizes
The competition features a $10,000 seed fund that judges will award at their discretion to the most promising student ventures. In addition to seed funding, participants will be eligible for value-added prizes such as Barsema's Closet professional attire vouchers, a six-month Innovation DuPage membership sponsored by the NIU Office of Innovation, and other resources designed to accelerate founder development and venture growth.
Competition Information
Learn more about our past winners' experiences:
- Marketing Student James Huynh Wins Fourth Place at DePaul University Pitch Madness Competition
- Mentor Roundtables Help Students Perfect Pitches
- Management major Jada Samuels wins first prize at DePaul University's Pitch Madness Competition
- Marketing Major Discusses Creativity, Resilience and First-gen Determination at NIU
Visual Aids
Pitch decks, prototypes and physical materials will be permitted at the pitch competition.
Key Questions Your Pitch Should Address
- What is your technology, product or service? Briefly, describe what you offer and the need it fulfills in the market. What is the problem and what is your solution. How do you eliminate/reduce the "pain."
- Who is your target market? Briefly, state who you are providing this product or service to. How large is the market? What industry is it in?
- How do you expect to make money/what is your business model? Describe your revenue and cost structure.
- Who is your competition? Competition is positive as it confirms/verifies that a market exists. All products and services have competition.
- What is your competitive advantage? What makes you different/unique? Why do you have an advantage over others? How will your company provide this product or service better than the competition?
- Who is behind the company? "Bet on the jockey, not the horse." Explain how your experiences give you credibility, your team, your advisory board, etc.
Schedule
Workshops and events will be held in the De La Vega Innovation Lab in Barsema Hall.
Note: dates and times are subject to change. Accommodations can be made for conflicts if disclosed in advance.
| Date | Time | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 17, 2026 | 11:59 p.m. | Registration Deadline | N/A |
| Feb. 18, 2026 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Who | "Who are you serving?" Learn about market research resources on campus with Wayne Finley. Then, learn to write a value proposition statement. |
| Feb. 25, 2026 | 5-6:30 p.m. | How | "Is Your Idea Feasible?" Identify your financial model and workshop the Business Model Canvas with Furkan Gur. |
| March 4, 2026 | 5-6:30 p.m. | What | Adobe Workshop and One-minute pitch workshop. |
| March 6, 2026 | 9-4 p.m. | Co-Working Time (optional) | The De La Vega Innovation Lab will be reserved for incubator participants to utilize the space to prepare for the competition. Snacks will be provided. |
| March 18, 2026 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Why | Learn to pitch your idea to investors from our partners at P33. |
| March 20, 2026 | 9-4 p.m. | Merch (optional) | Founders can come to the De La Vega Innovation Lab to make a company-branded t-shirt or use the lab as a co-working space to prepare for the competition. |
| March 25, 2026 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Mentor Event | Pitch Competition participants will meet with esteemed alumni and industry leaders in a poster-symposium format to gain critical feedback before the competition. Networking mixer to follow. |
| April 3, 2026 | 7 p.m. | Tech-Based Pitch Competition | Pt. I - 2026 De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition! Open to the public. |
| April 4, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. | Traditional Businesses Pitch Competition | Pt. II - 2026 De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition! Open to the public. |
