SwatTank
About the program · 2 linked sources
SwatTank
SwatTank is Swarthmore's annual idea-to-pitch competition, run by the Center for Innovation and Leadership. Teams of 3-5 students develop products or ventures over a semester and pitch to judges. Includes two mandatory bootcamps, alumni mentorship, and founder matching.
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-24); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$3,000
Cash Prize
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-04-16
High confidence
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Reminders
SwatTank
Get an email before a director-verified deadline for this program, this school, or this state. The program never sees your address.
SwatTank · Oct 25, 2026 · Unverified
Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
SwatTank
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Application and Timing
The next published date is the SwatTank Business Bootcamp on October 25, 2026, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., optional preparation for SwatTank 2027. The application open date is not published yet. Founder matching is available year-round via the "Find Your Founder" form.
Participants
Swarthmore undergraduate teams (3-5 students). Multi-disciplinary teams encouraged. Must apply with preliminary idea.
Funding and Equity
- First Place: $3,000
- Second Place: $1,000
- Third Place: $250
- Audience Choice: $500
- Total pool: $4,750
- No equity taken.
Recent Activity
2026 finals held April 2026 with 5 finalist teams. 2025 winners documented (CHIBEES, Injury Report, AcaMania). Competition has been running annually since at least 2015. Active Instagram presence (@swatcil).
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
CHIBEES
$3,000
prize won
Swarthmore College
2025 SwatTank first place ($3,000); gamified menstrual health app.
Goldfish
$1,000
prize won
Swarthmore College
2026 SwatTank second place ($1,000); social productivity platform described as Strava for studying.
NudgeBudge
$3,000
prize won
Swarthmore College
2024 SwatTank first place ($3,000); habit-forming mobile app for college students.
PathWise
$750
prize won
Swarthmore College
2026 SwatTank third place ($750); AI-native academic planning platform.
Senaqi
1st place
placement
Swarthmore College
MedTech venture for maternity care starting with hysteroscope improvements. 2026 Swarthmore SwatTank first-place winner.
Shelf
$3,000
prize won
Swarthmore College
2018 SwatTank first place ($3,000); online clothing marketplace.
SQUAD
$3,000
prize won
Swarthmore College
2023 SwatTank first place ($3,000); AI-powered emergency vehicle response system.
Historical winners (research notes)
- 2026: Senaqi (MedTech), Goldfish (social productivity), PathWise (AI planning), Patina (memory platform), Breadcrumbs (social media)
- 2025: CHIBEES (menstrual health), Injury Report (athletic training), AcaMania (student success)
- 2024: NudgeBudge (habit app), RUSH (accessibility), Chants (activism)
- 2023: SQUAD (AI emergency response), Comma (ebooks), Suiter.io (productivity tools)
- 2022: Forge (fitness), techTutor (digital literacy), Frequency (music sharing)
- 2018: Shelf (clothing marketplace)
- Numerous other ventures documented 2015-2021
Research gaps & things to verify
Verification Gaps
- Prize structure may have varied in earlier years
- Venture continuation/incorporation status unknown
- Application numbers and selection rate unknown
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
Official SwatTank page with prize structure and 2026 winners. Past SwatTank participants page with detailed team records from 2015-2025.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting SwatTank at Swarthmore College.
2 sources
Swarthmore College
Past SwatTank Participants
Comprehensive historical record of SwatTank participants from 2015 through 2025. Documents winning teams, venture descriptions, team member names, and class years. Key ventures: CHIBEES (2025), NudgeBudge (2024), SQUAD (2023), Shelf (2018).
Read on Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College
SwatTank Official Page
Official SwatTank page documenting Swarthmore's annual pitch competition. Includes prize structure ($3,000 first, $1,000 second, $250 third, $500 Audience Choice), 2026 winners, bootcamp schedule, mentorship structure, and founder matching resources.
Read on Swarthmore College