The campus field guide
Fairfield University
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Inside this ecosystem · 3 linked sources
Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut, founded in 1942. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem centers on the Fairfield StartUp Showcase, a year-long venture program awarding ~$50K in seed funding at an annual Shark Tank-style pitch competition. The Dolan School of Business offers an Entrepreneurship minor that feeds into the program, and the Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab supports interdisciplinary creative projects. Fairfield has no formal accelerator, incubator, or tech transfer office, but maintains an active undergraduate venture pipeline with consistent 2024-2026 activity.
Include. Fairfield University has a clearly active, branded, and recurring StartUp Showcase program with meaningful non-dilutive funding (~$50K), structured mentorship, and multiple 2024-2026 data points confirming continuity. meaningful undergraduate venture support with a strong pitch competition, but no accelerator, incubator, venture fund, or tech transfer infrastructure.
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-23); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
At a glance
Indexed programs
2
All currently active
Top direct funding
$50,000
Fairfield StartUp Showcase
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
2
Academic Program · Pitch Competition
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
2 programs indexed
Pitch Competition
Fairfield StartUp Showcase
Pitch CompetitionAlso: Fairfield StartUp, Fairfield StartUp Competition
$50,000
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-05-01
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
Academic Program
Entrepreneurship Minor (Dolan School of Business)
Academic ProgramAlso: Fairfield Entrepreneurship Minor
—
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-06-23
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
From students
Be the first student from Fairfield University to post a startup.
Post a startupFunding and Equity
The StartUp Showcase awards ~$50K in non-dilutive seed funding annually. No equity or SAFE instruments documented. No venture fund, proof-of-concept fund, or angel network identified.
Recent Activity
- May 2026: StartUp Showcase awards top honors to Leave It to Us and EviSyna.
- 2025-2026: Active recruitment cycle with November auditions and April Showcase.
- April 2024: Celebration of Student Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Quick Center.
- 2024-2026: Consistent annual program cycle maintained.
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
EviSyna
$50,000
prize won
Fairfield University · Fairfield StartUp Showcase
Student venture and 2026 Fairfield StartUp Showcase top winner from the ~$50K seed funding pool.
Leave It to Us
$50,000
prize won
Fairfield University · Fairfield StartUp Showcase
Student venture and 2026 Fairfield StartUp Showcase top winner from the ~$50K seed funding pool.
Historical winners (research notes)
- Leave It to Us — 2026 StartUp Showcase top winner.
- EviSyna — 2026 StartUp Showcase top winner.
Research gaps & things to verify
Missing Information
- Complete list of past winners (2019-2023) and post-graduation venture outcomes.
- Exact prize breakdown and total annual seed pool confirmed year-over-year.
- Whether any formal tech transfer or commercialization function exists.
- Dedicated incubator/co-working space details beyond the Innovation Lab.
- External partnerships with local accelerators or economic development agencies.
More about this ecosystem
Fairfield University
News & articles
3 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Fairfield University.
3 sources
News & articles(1)
2026 Fairfield StartUp Showcase Winners — Leave It to Us and EviSyna
Fairfield University
Fairfield University
2026 Fairfield StartUp Showcase Winners — Leave It to Us and EviSyna
Fairfield University news announcing 2026 StartUp Showcase winners Leave It to Us and EviSyna from a ~$50K seed funding pool.
Read on Fairfield University
Official sources(2)
Fairfield Entrepreneurship Minor
Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business
Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business
Fairfield Entrepreneurship Minor
Official entrepreneurship minor page at Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business.
Read on Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business
Fairfield University
Fairfield StartUp Program Official Page
Official Fairfield StartUp program page describing the year-long venture development process and Showcase pitch event.
Read on Fairfield University
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