Draper Data Science Business Plan Competition

Friday, April 21, 2023, at San Pedro I

The UTSA Draper Data Science Business Plan Competition is designed for student entrepreneurs to advance business ventures that use data science to create value – with the potential to change the world in which we live and work.

Be Part of the Data Economy and Help Transform the World

The competition considers data science broadly as a field of inquiry and application encompassing computing, mathematical, or statistical methods and technologies in synergy with domain expertise and big data sets to solve unmet problems.

Teams representing the student-founded and managed business ventures that participate in the Draper Competition have the opportunity to win up to $75,000 in cash investments in their ventures while receiving expert guidance from mentors and judges.

Additionally, this competition gives university students an exceptional opportunity to develop marketable skills that complement their classroom knowledge. The competition supports students committed to tackling global challenges while deepening their own learning and broadening their professional skills, including leadership, teamwork, and communication.

The Draper Data Science Business Plan Competition is made possible through the generosity of a $1 million gift from Tim and Melissa Draper.

The Draper Competition focuses on data science

Applications Open -  Monday, November 7, 2022

 

Key Dates

January 27, 2023

Applications deadline
February 24, 2023

UTSA announces invited team
April 21, 2023

UTSA hosts competition

Prizes

1st Place - $30,000
2nd Place - $20,000
3rd Place - $10,000
Honorable Mention - $5,000
Fan Favorite/Best in Show - $5,000
Five small cash prizes of $1,000 may be awarded to other teams

 

Information Sessions

To learn more about the Draper Competition, register to attend one of these online information sessions:

1st Session
Date Time Registration
Friday, Nov. 11, 2022 1:00 PM CST Register Here
2nd Session
Date Time Registration
Friday, Jan. 13, 2023   1:00 PM CST  Register Here
 

Eligibility

  • Open to:
    • all students—undergraduate or graduate—currently enrolled in two- or four-year degree granting programs at accredited not-for-profit colleges or universities located in the United States,
    • recent college graduates, as of December 31, 2022, in the United States.
  • All ventures must have at least two and no more than six team members.
  • The Team Leader serves as the main contact for the team and must complete the team's application.  The application must demonstrate that the Team Leader played a significant role in conceiving the venture.
  • Team members must:
    • demonstrate commitment to moving venture forward,
    • have played a primary role in developing the business strategy,
    • and have a key management role in the startup venture.
    • Each team must provide contact information for a faculty advisor/mentor who is familiar with the team and the venture.  Any faculty advisor/mentor is welcome but not required to be present at UTSA on pitch day.
  • The competition is for new, for-profit, independent ventures in the seed, start-up, or early growth stages.  Ventures with a social impact focus are eligible as long as there is a revenue- generating component to the venture.  Ventures that qualify for 501(c) status are not eligible.
  • An existing business is eligible only if, as of 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2022, it has
    • received less than $25,000 in funding
    • earned less than $100,000 in gross revenue.
  • Ventures must be wholly owned by the team (i.e., investor-funded ventures will be disqualified)
  • Ventures must be student-created and student-managed. Teams are required to provide proof of enrollment or current class schedule for all members at the time of submitting the application. Recent graduates can provide a copy of their diploma, original transcript, or any other document proving their eligibility as of December 31, 2022.
“Data science will drive the greatest transformations of the next few decades. Business plan competitions tend to encourage and attract those people who are going to make those transformations. Melissa and I have found these competitions to be a magnet for progress and change.”