[Sontag Foundation](https://sontagfoundation.org)

January 2026 (Intent to Compete) | February–April 2026 (Competition rounds & finals)

$50,000 awarded to one winning team; funding is a single cash prize.

Annual competition supporting University of Nevada, Reno students to launch innovative, for-profit ventures.

Open only to full-time University of Nevada, Reno students; teams must submit an Intent to Compete form.

--- ## Description The Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition is an annual program hosted by the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among students. Supported by a major endowment from alumnus Rick Sontag, the competition encourages the creation of new for-profit businesses in Nevada. Participants benefit from a suite of resources, including workshops, mentorship, and access to advisors, culminating in a multi-stage competition with a $50,000 grand prize awarded to the most promising student-led venture. --- ## Due Dates All dates below are anticipated for the 2025–2026 academic year: - **Intent to Compete form deadline:** January 2026 - **Notification/Invitation for Round 1:** Late January 2026 - **Mixer for Student Teams and Judges:** Early February 2026 - **Round 1: Six-minute pitch and Q&A:** Early February 2026 - **Notification/Invitation for Round 2:** Mid-February 2026 - **Submit video pitch and written business plan:** Late February 2026 - **Notification/Invitation for Semi-finals:** Early March 2026 - **Semi-finals: Live pitch and Q&A:** Mid-March 2026 - **Notification/Invitation for Finals:** Mid-March 2026 - **Finals: Submit revised video and business plan:** Early April 2026 - **Final Presentations and Award Ceremony:** Mid-April 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Prize:** $50,000 awarded as a single cash prize to the winning team. - **Disbursement:** Funds are provided after the end of the spring semester, upon request by the winning team. - **Allowable uses:** Business development and/or educational expenses while enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Nevada, Reno. --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** - All full-time University of Nevada, Reno students (undergraduate: ≥12 credits; graduate: ≥6 credits) in good standing during the academic year of the competition. - Students who were full-time in the preceding year may be eligible (inquire with competition administrators). - **Team composition:** - Teams of 1–5 students; non-students may serve as advisors or company members but not as presenters. - Each team must designate a team leader. - An individual may only participate on one team. - **Venture requirements:** - For-profit start-ups or early-stage ventures less than two years old and with less than $250,000 in revenue (including grants). - Benefit Corporations are eligible. - Expansions of existing businesses may be submitted with committee approval and must show significant student equity. - Ventures based on university research must have a licensing agreement and clear student equity. - Franchises or ventures based primarily on licensing existing business models are not eligible. --- ## Application Process 1. **Intent to Compete:** - Complete and submit the [Intent to Compete form](https://bizunr.formstack.com/forms/sontag_intent_to_compete_2024) by the anticipated January deadline. - Required materials: team information, team leader, mentors/advisors, Business Model Canvas, and a 1,500-word abstract. 2. **Screening & Selection:** - Teams are notified of eligibility and selected for qualifying interviews. 3. **Competition Rounds:** - Multiple rounds including live pitches, video submissions, and business plan reviews. - Teams are evaluated on criteria such as viability, team strength, market understanding, business model, customer validation, and communication. 4. **Finals & Award:** - Top teams present at the final event; one team is awarded the $50,000 prize. --- ## Additional Information - **Resources:** - Access to workshops, mentorship, and consulting through the [Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship](https://www.unr.edu/business/initiatives/sontag/resources). - Students are encouraged to participate in entrepreneurship courses and events. - **Award Responsibilities:** - Winners must submit annual progress reports for three years after receiving the award. - All participants complete a post-competition survey. --- ## External Links - [Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition main page](https://www.unr.edu/business/initiatives/sontag) - [Rules, eligibility, and registration](https://www.unr.edu/business/initiatives/sontag/rules-and-registration) - [Competition resources and workshops](https://www.unr.edu/business/initiatives/sontag/resources) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Office | Email | Phone | |-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Dick Bartholet, Competition Director| [richardb@unr.edu](mailto:richardb@unr.edu) | (775) 784-6878 | | Armina Karapetian, Competition Lead | [akarapetian@unr.edu](mailto:akarapetian@unr.edu) | | | Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship | [ozmencenter@unr.edu](mailto:ozmencenter@unr.edu) | | Visit the Ozmen Center in Ansari Business Room 402 for in-person inquiries.

Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition

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