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Pitch CompetitionDirect fundingNo equityVerified

TIA Entrepreneur Showcase

Also known as: Colgate Entrepreneur Weekend, E-Weekend

Colgate University · Hamilton, NY

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).

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Quick fit check

  • Offers direct funding
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

$34,000 – $34,000

Grant

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Campus Wide

Last activity

2026-04-11

High confidence

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.

See every startup

Cha'Gate

Colgate University

Program portfolio

Colgate TIA campus bubble tea venture.

EchoScape

Colgate University

Program portfolio

Colgate TIA therapeutic sound design venture.

Hatch Pay

Colgate University

Program portfolio

Colgate TIA digital wallet for events.

MajiSafi Solutions

Colgate University

Program portfolio

Colgate TIA venture addressing water scarcity in Kenya.

Oasis Running

Colgate University

Program portfolio

Colgate TIA running apparel venture.

PLNT

$10,000

prize won

Colgate University

1st placeCompetition winner

2026 Colgate TIA Entrepreneur Showcase $10K winner; plant industry drones/ML.

RUBY

Colgate University

Program portfolio

Colgate TIA food waste reduction venture.

SoilSoul

Colgate University

Program portfolio

Colgate TIA sustainable farming venture.

Vitalize

Colgate University

Program portfolio

Colgate TIA health and wellness venture.

Verification Gaps

  • Full winner list by year.
  • Annual prize total averages (only 2026 documented in detail; cumulative $227K+ known).
  • Follow-on outcomes for winners.

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