Thomas Innovation Challenge
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PCD Office: AD-105 Suite
Phone: 207-859-1167
Email: [email protected]
Thomas Innovation Challenge
$1,000
Grand Prize
Nov. 4, 2026
Concepts Due
Dec. 4, 2026
Final Pitch
10
Teams registered
7
Teams pitched on final day
10
Academic majors represented
$1000
Awarded to the winning team
Overview: Where Ideas Become Ventures
The Thomas Innovation Challenge is more than a pitch competition. It’s a structured, semester-long program that takes students through the full arc of building a venture — identifying a customer problem, validating market readiness, developing a prototype, and delivering a pitch to a panel of judges. Workshops and coaching sessions are built into the program, so students develop skills alongside their ideas. The final pitch event is livestreamed and open to the Thomas community.
Program Structure
A semester of building
The Challenge runs across the fall semester through a progression of workshops, working sessions, and practice pitches — culminating in a final pitch event on December 4.
Late September
Registration opens
October
Market readiness workshop
October – November
Prototyping and concept development
November
Pitch practice and coaching sessions
December 4
Final pitch – live and live-streamed
Judging Criteria
What judges evaluate
Pitches are scored by a panel of business leaders and practitioners on five dimensions.
Problem identification
Clarity and significance of the problem being solved
Creativity and originality
Novelty and distinctiveness of the approach
Prototype execution
Quality and completeness of the concept demonstrated
Market potential
Evidence of demand and a viable path to customers
Pitch communication
Storytelling, delivery, and clarity under pressure
The bigger picture
A semester of building
The Challenge runs across the fall semester through a progression of workshops, working sessions, and practice pitches — culminating in a final pitch event on December 4.
Eligibility
Open to all undergraduate students
The Thomas Innovation Challenge is open to all currently enrolled Thomas College undergraduates, regardless of major. Students may participate individually or as part of a team. No prior business experience is required — the program is structured to develop skills alongside the idea.
FAQ
Can students participate individually?
Yes. Solo participants are welcome. Teams may also form or finalize after registration opens in late September.
What types of ideas are eligible?
Any venture concept with a clearly identified customer and problem — products, services, apps, social ventures, and more. Ideas at any stage of development are eligible.
What do the workshops cover?
Workshops address market readiness (customer validation, UVP articulation, go-to-market thinking), prototyping, and pitch development including storytelling, visuals, and delivery.
Is the final pitch event open to the public?
Yes. The final pitch event on December 4 is open to the Thomas community and will be live-streamed.
Who judges the final pitch?
A panel of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners connected to the Thomas community. Judge details will be announced ahead of the December final pitch date.