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Schedule & Key Dates

VentureCat 2023

  • February 22, 2023: Info Session 
  • March 1, 2023: International Student Founders Office Hours
  • March 8, 2023: Business Entity Formation & University IP Workshop 
  • March 10, 2023: Business Entity Formation Legal Office Hours 
  • March 27, 2023 - April 7, 2023: Application Period
  • April 25, 2023: Semifinalists Announced
  • April 27, 2023: Semifinalists Kickoff Meeting
  • May 1, 2023 - May 26, 2023: Pitch Prep Program
  • May 31, 2023: VentureCat Competition and Public Showcase

To receive all updates for students on VentureCat news, deadlines and more, please join the student e-mail list here.

Winter Quarter 2023 Prep Sessions & Office Hours

VentureCat 2023 Info Session

An info session for VentureCat, Northwestern’s annual student startup competition, will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 6:15pm CT. VentureCat 2023 applications will open on March 27 and the competition will be held on May 31.  

2/22/23 - Info Session Recording

International Student Founders Office Hours

Attorney Lisa Scott, of Scott Global Migration Law Group, will host virtual 1:1 appointments on Wednesday, March 1st. These appointments are ideal for international student founders wanting to learn more about potential options for starting a business in the US.

Schedule Office Hour Appointment

Business Entity Formation & University IP Policy Overview Session

To apply to VentureCat, teams must have a registered business entity at the time of application.

On Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 5:15pm CT, we will host a virtual session with Esther Barron and Darren Green, of the Donald Pritzker Entrepreneurship Law Center. They will cover commonly asked questions about entity formation and founders' agreements. Sarah Kamper, Invention Manager at INVO, Northwestern’s Innovation and New Ventures Office, will also present an overview of University IP policy and steps to ensure you are working in compliance with all guidelines. 

Register to Attend

Business Entity Formation Legal Office Hours

Professors Esther Barron and Darren Reed from the Donald Pritzker Entrepreneurship Law Center will host virtual 1:1 appointments on Friday, March 10th to discuss  questions on forming a business entity or founders' agreements. 

Schedule Office Hour Appointment

VentureCat Program Manager Office Hours

Students interested in learning more about VentureCat, or who have questions about the rules, requirements, or application process can schedule 1:1 appointments with VentureCat's program manager, Sarah Stein.

Schedule Office Hour Appointment