Innovation Challenge
About the program · 3 linked sources
The Innovation Challenge is the Berthiaume Center's premier spring pitch competition. Up to $65,000 in equity-free funding. Two-part competition: Preliminary Round (mid-April, 25+ teams selected from 50+ applicants) and Final (late April at Old Chapel). Open to UMass students and GOLD alumni. 2026 winners: HertZ Innovation ($31K, contamination detection), Supreme Microgreens ($18.5K), OffCampusSpaces.com ($10K), FishBite ($5.5K). 2025 winners: Diel Technologies ($36K), PlateMate ($16K), OffCampusSpaces.com ($11K), Supreme Microgreens ($2K).
Also known as: UMass Innovation Challenge
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-25); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$65,000
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-06-25
Medium confidence
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Reminders
Innovation Challenge
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Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
Innovation Challenge
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Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Diel Technologies
$36,000
prize won
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2025 UMass Innovation Challenge winner ($36K); kinetic energy harvesting venture.
FishBite
$5,500
prize won
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2026 UMass Innovation Challenge prize recipient (~$5.5K).
HertZ Innovation
$31,000
prize won
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2026 UMass Innovation Challenge winner ($31K); contamination detection startup.
OffCampusSpaces.com
$10,000
prize won
University of Massachusetts Amherst
UMass Innovation Challenge prize recipient (~$10K in 2026; also won in 2025).
PlateMate
$16,000
prize won
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2025 UMass Innovation Challenge winner ($16K); AI nutrition app.
Supreme Microgreens
1st place
placement
University of Massachusetts Amherst
UMass Innovation Challenge winner in 2025 and 2026 cohorts.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Innovation Challenge at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
3 sources
Four UMass Amherst Student Startups Share $65K in Annual Innovation Challenge Pitch Competition
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Four UMass Amherst Student Startups Share $65K in Annual Innovation Challenge Pitch Competition
Amherst Indy news article about 2026 Innovation Challenge final. Four startups shared $65K. Winners: Hert
Read on University of Massachusetts Amherst
Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship
--- title: "Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship" source_url: https://www.umass.edu/entrepreneurship/ capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- The Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management is the central hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Executive Director Gregory Thomas. The Center provides start-up competitions (Innovation Challenge up to $65K, Minute Pitch $2.5K), incubator space at Bartlett Hall 301 (free for all UMass students), boot camps, mentorship, and year-round programming. Supports Entrepreneurship Club and Social Entrepreneurship Club. Open to UMass students and GOLD alumni (graduated within last decade). Partners with businesses, alumni, and regional organizations. Contact: berthiaume@umass.edu.
Read on University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Innovation Challenge
Innovation Challenge program page. Premier spring pitch competition. Up to $65,000 in equity-free funding. Preliminary Round and Final at Old Chapel. Open to UMass students and GOLD alumni. 2026 winners: Hert
Read on University of Massachusetts Amherst