YU Innovation Challenge
About the program · 2 linked sources
Annual campus-wide pitch competition produced by the YU Innovation Lab and Shevet Glaubach Center in collaboration with Arieli Group. Open to all YU undergraduate and graduate students. Structured as a 6-week program combining virtual workshops, guest speakers, mentorship, team-based collaboration, and hands-on business model development. Culminates in a high-profile Pitch Night with judging from entrepreneurs and investors.
2025 was the largest in the competition's four-year history: 84 submissions from 9 schools and 24 programs, with 7 finalist teams and more than 100 attendees at Yagoda Commons. First year with doubled prize pool ($2,000 first, $1,000 second).
Also known as: Yeshiva University Innovation Challenge, YU Pitch Challenge
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-23); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$2,000
Non Dilutive Grant
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2025-03-25
High confidence
Keep this on your radar Deadline reminders ↓
Reminders
YU Innovation Challenge
Get an email before a director-verified deadline for this program, this school, or this state. The program never sees your address.
Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
YU Innovation Challenge
No posts yet.
Application and Timing
Annual cycle. Application deadline typically early February. 6-week program runs February-March, culminating in March Pitch Night.
Participants
All YU undergraduate and graduate students from any school. Team-based participation encouraged.
Funding and Equity
$2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize (2025: first year with both prizes, doubled from prior years). Non-dilutive cash awards. No equity taken. Additional value: investor connections, networking with ecosystem partners.
Recent Activity
- March 2025: 2025 Innovation Challenge — record-setting year. 84 submissions, 9 schools, 7 finalist teams. YachtNotes ($2K) and DMiing ($1K) win.
- 2026: Next cycle expected.
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
DMiing
$1,000
prize won
Yeshiva University
2025 Yeshiva Innovation Challenge second place ($1,000).
YachtNotes
$2,000
prize won
Yeshiva University
2025 Yeshiva Innovation Challenge first-place winner ($2,000). Founded by Ruben Mena (Cardozo Law). Record 84 submissions in 2025 cycle.
Historical winners (research notes)
- YachtNotes (Ruben Mena, Cardozo School of Law) — 1st place 2025, $2,000. Communications platform for luxury yacht industry.
- DMiing (Shiva Kumar Arugonda, Altaf Ahmed, Dwani Patel, Katz School) — 2nd place 2025, $1,000. Private secure messaging platform.
Research gaps & things to verify
Verification Gaps
- Only 2025 results documented (record year). Earlier cycles (2022-2024) lack comparable detail on winners, prizes, and participation.
- Post-competition venture outcomes unknown for winners.
- Total historical prize distribution and aggregate participation data unavailable.
Program details
YU Innovation Challenge
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
- 2026-06-23-yeshiva-innovation-challenge
- 2026-06-23-yeshiva-innovation-lab
- Yeshiva University Entrepreneurship Research Report
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting YU Innovation Challenge at Yeshiva University.
2 sources
Yeshiva University
YU Innovation Lab Official Page
Innovation Lab official page. Documents the hub as a collaborative environment for Israeli startups to grow U.S. market potential while engaging YU students. Describes the Innovation Challenge as its flagship student program. Director: Natasha Srulowitz.
Read on Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University
YU Innovation Challenge Official Pages and News Coverage
Two captures: (1) official 2025 Innovation Challenge program page with schedule, prizes, and eligibility; (2) YU News article on the record-breaking 2025 competition with named winners, statistics, and quotes.
Read on Yeshiva University