TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
About the program · 3 linked sources
The annual culminating event for the TIA Incubator, held as part of Colgate's Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend since 2012 (14 years). Features a pitch competition with 4 finalist ventures competing for cash prizes, a venture showcase with 30+ startups in an "Iggy" investment game, audience choice awards, and a panel discussion with accomplished founders and funders. Cumulative prize funding awarded since 2012: $227,000+. Notable past speakers include Richard Branson (2012), Sheryl Sandberg (2013), Ashton Kutcher (2014), Jessica Alba (2015), and Tyler Haney (2016).
Also known as: Colgate Entrepreneur Weekend, E-Weekend
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-22); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$34,000
Grant
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-04-11
High confidence
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Reminders
TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
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Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
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Application and Timing
Annual event in April. Part of Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend. 2026: April 11. Finalists selected ~2 months prior; prepare pitches under guidance of Entrepreneur in Residence Jen Martin and alumni mentors.
Participants
Open to TIA Incubator ventures. 4 finalists selected through a competitive process for the on-stage pitch competition. 30+ ventures participate in the Iggy game showcase. Open to all Colgate community members as attendees and investors.
Funding and Equity
2026 total: $34,000+ awarded.
- Pitch competition: $10,000 first prize. Remaining 3 finalists each receive $3,000.
- Audience choice awards: $2,500 Chicory Innovation Award, $1,000 PAR Technology Award, $1,000 nvp capital Award, $1,000 People's Choice Award.
- Iggy investment game: $10,000 distributed across 30+ ventures based on attendee votes.
- All funding is non-dilutive grants. No equity taken.
- Cumulative total since 2012: $227,000+.
Recent Activity
2026 Showcase (April 11): 4 finalists — PLNT (winner, $10K), MajiSafi Solutions, Hatch Pay, EchoScape. Panel included Viraj Puri '03 (Gotham Greens CEO, 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year). 30+ ventures in Iggy game. Theme: "Our students don't just learn about entrepreneurship; they live it."
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Cha'Gate
Colgate University
Colgate TIA campus bubble tea venture.
EchoScape
Colgate University
Colgate TIA therapeutic sound design venture.
Hatch Pay
Colgate University
Colgate TIA digital wallet for events.
MajiSafi Solutions
Colgate University
Colgate TIA venture addressing water scarcity in Kenya.
Oasis Running
Colgate University
Colgate TIA running apparel venture.
PLNT
$10,000
prize won
Colgate University
2026 Colgate TIA Entrepreneur Showcase $10K winner; plant industry drones/ML.
RUBY
Colgate University
Colgate TIA food waste reduction venture.
SoilSoul
Colgate University
Colgate TIA sustainable farming venture.
Vitalize
Colgate University
Colgate TIA health and wellness venture.
Research gaps & things to verify
Verification Gaps
- Full winner list by year.
- Annual prize total averages (only 2026 documented in detail; cumulative $227K+ known).
- Follow-on outcomes for winners.
Program details
TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Known Winners
- 2026: PLNT (Porter Comstock '26) — $10,000
- 2026: MajiSafi Solutions, Hatch Pay, EchoScape — $3,000 each + sponsored awards
- 2025: Not fully documented
- Multiple prior years with documented winners
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
- 2026-06-22-colgate-tia-showcase-2026
- 2026-06-22-colgate-tia-incubator
- Colgate University Entrepreneurship & Startup Activity Report
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting TIA Entrepreneur Showcase at Colgate University.
3 sources
Colgate University
Colgate E&I Student Programs Page
Overview page for E&I student programs. Describes TIA Incubator (up to $5K seed grants, Sept-April, mentorship), Idea Squad, TIA Summer Accelerator, and Harvard Business School Online certificate partnerships.
Read on Colgate University
Colgate University
TIA Incubator Program Page
Official Thought Into Action program page. Describes TIA Incubator (year-long, Sept-April, up to $5K seed grants), TIA Summer Accelerator ($7,500 grant), Idea Squad, PE courses, Campus Venture Initiative, and TIA Entrepreneur Showcase.
Read on Colgate University
Colgate University
2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Detailed article about the 2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase (April 11, 2026). Documents pitch competition finalists, $10K top prize to PLNT (Porter Comstock '26), audience choice awards ($5,500 total), Iggy game ($10K to 30 ventures), and $227K+ cumulative prize total.
Read on Colgate University