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Pitch CompetitionDirect fundingNo equityVerified

Johnny's Innovation Challenge

Also known as: JIC

St. John's University · Queens, NY

Flagship fall ideation competition focused on sustainability solutions aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Teams of 2-3 students pitch ideas to expert judges. First step in the Startup Incubator Program. Sponsored by Collins College of Professional Studies and Venture & Innovation Center.

Three $1,000 prizes: CCPS Award (global entrepreneurship, winners advance to Hult Prize nationals), VIC Award (best early-stage startup idea), and Farella Vincentian Innovation Award (social justice / community impact). Non-monetary prizes include VIC BootCamp spots with summer stipends, internships, European Innovation Academy scholarships, and Hult Prize national berth.

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Quick fit check

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

Key numbers

Funding range

$1,000 – $1,000

Non Dilutive Grant

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Campus Wide

Last activity

2025-12-15

High confidence

Application and Timing

Annual fall cycle. Second annual held November 22, 2025. Apply by early November.

Participants

All enrolled St. John's University students, any discipline. Returning teams welcome with new or significantly updated ideas.

Funding and Equity

Three $1,000 cash prizes. Non-dilutive. No equity taken. Additional value via summer stipends and international program scholarships.

Recent Activity

  • February 2025: First-ever JIC with 59 students, 20 teams. Virture wins CCPS award, advances to Hult Prize nationals.
  • November 2025: Second annual JIC with 41+ students, 18 teams. PulmoHealth and Karina AI win $1,000 each.
  • Fall 2026: Third annual planned.

Known startups and winners

Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

See every startup

PulmoHealth

St. John's University

Student venture

Inhaled medical therapy device. Johnny's Innovation Challenge winner (November 2025, $1,000) at St. John's University.

Historical winners (research notes)
  • Virture (Feb 2025) — CCPS Award winner, Hult Prize national berth.
  • PulmoHealth (Nov 2025) — $1,000 VIC Award. Inhaled medical therapy device.
  • Karina AI (Karina Galimova, Lukas Perez, Nov 2025) — $1,000 CCPS Award. AI immigrant assimilation app.
  • KnotHashtags (Uday Kumar) — JIC winner, attended Hult Summer Bootcamp 2025.

Verification Gaps

  • Full prize distribution details beyond top awards.
  • Total number of applicants and teams competing each year.
  • Post-competition venture outcomes for winners.

Johnny's Innovation Challenge

Additional research notesShow