Elevating Innovation

In light of Northwestern’s recently announced fiscal measures, we have made the difficult decision to suspend this year’s Alumni VentureCat competition. While this was not an easy call, it is a necessary step as we adapt to current budgetary constraints across the university.

 

VentureCat Application Components:

• 10-slide pitch deck 
• 60-second elevator pitch video (no graphics/animations, just you speaking to the camera)
• Executive Summary
• Application questions based on the program's evaluation criteria.

 

Alumni VentureCat is a startup competition intended to support and showcase high-growth Northwestern University alumni-founded ventures with viable business models that will allow their businesses to efficiently scale, and that have the potential for significant financial growth.

Please read the complete Official Rules & Guidelines prior to applying. The program reserves the right to disqualify any participant, or submission if Northwestern University determines, in its sole discretion, that there has been a violation of rules and guidelines or if it determines that an entry does not meet all eligibility requirements.

• Ventures founded more than five years prior to the application open date (June 2, 2025) are ineligible to compete.  
• Venture must have at least one Northwestern University alum who is a founder or co-founder and substantial equity holder in the business who is actively involved full-time in day-to-day operations, and who graduated from Northwestern prior to August 31, 2024.
  • To be considered a Northwestern alum, you must have completed an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree from Northwestern University. Graduates of Northwestern University certificate programs are not eligible to participate.
• The Northwestern alumni founders invited to participate as finalists must fully commit to participate in-person for the Finals Public Showcase in Palo Alto, CA and must serve as the lead pitch presenter.
• Ventures must have less than $2 million USD in annual revenue. 
• Businesses that have raised more than $ 2.5 million USD in total debt/invested equity capital are ineligible to compete. This amount includes money received through grants, awards, and other funding sources.

• Northwestern alum investors are not eligible to apply on behalf of a company unless they are identified as a founder and involved full-time in the day-to-day operations. 
• Investment funds, acquisitions, and consulting services are not deemed "new ventures" and are not eligible to apply/participate.
• Subsidiary companies are not permitted to apply.
• Venture must be a U.S. based registered business entity. Investments cannot be made to foreign business entities. All prize investments are made to companies, not individuals.
• Companies that have previously won the 1st, 2nd or 3rd place Finals prizes at the annual student VentureCat competition are ineligible to compete in the Alumni VentureCat competition.
• Companies that have previously competed as Finalists in Alumni VentureCat are ineligible to compete in subsequent years. 

 

The evaluation criteria for all stages of application and competition include:

Problem

• Significant problem/need identified.
• Customer groups sized and identified.

Proposition (Value Prop & Business Model)

• Compelling solution with path to scalability or growth
• Differentiated customer value
• Demonstrated understanding of the competitive landscape
• Business model outlined with realistic revenue sources.

Progress (Progress & Traction)

• Progress beyond idea stage (e.g., proof of concept, customer research, customer outreach, testing, product development, patent or trademark application, sales)
• Proposal for additional funding to accelerate progress.

People (Team)

• Presentation materials and responses to questions demonstrate expertise, commitment, and a thoughtful approach.
• The founder, key team members, and advisors have the required industry knowledge, skill sets, leadership abilities, and established relationships/networks needed to operate and scale the business successfully.

 

The Grand Prize will be awarded as a $100,000 SAFE Note with a 15% discount and no valuation cap.