ACC InVenture Prize:
The $30,000 Student Innovation Competition
What is the InVenture Prize?
Think of it as the "Shark Tank" of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The InVenture Prize is the premier stage for undergraduate student inventors from all 18 universities to pitch original startups and bold ideas. We bring together the conference’s top problem-solvers to compete for funding, exposure, and the chance to turn a concept into a real-world business.
The journey begins at home. Each university selects just one finalist team to represent their institution. These elite teams advance to a virtual pitch round before taking the stage at the host institution for a live, televised final round. You won't just be presenting to a class; you'll be answering tough questions from judges in front of a broadcast audience.
This is more than a trophy hunt. Competing teams gain access to expert mentorship and a network of fellow innovators designed to support early-stage ventures. The stakes are high
Latest Competition Highlights
2026 InVenture Prize
First Place Winner - University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Host: University of Notre Dame
Previous Competitions
2025 InVenture Prize
First Place Winner - University of Miami
University of Notre Dame
2024 InVenture Prize
Winner: Georgia Institute of Technology
Host: Florida State University
2023 InVenture Prize
Winner: University of Notre Dame
Host: Florida State University
2022 InVenture Prize
Winner: Georgia Institute of Technology
Host: Florida State University
2021 InVenture Prize
Winner: North Carolina State University
Host: North Carolina State University (Online)
2019 InVenture Prize
Winner: University of Virginia
Host: North Carolina State University
2018 InVenture Prize
Winner: University of Virginia
Host: Georgia Institute of Technology
2017 InVenture Prize
Winner: University of Virginia
Host: Georgia Institute of Technology
2016 InVenture Prize
Winner: Duke University
Host: Georgia Institute of Technology
From Campus to the Big Screen
Step 1: Campus Qualifiers
Win your university's local competition to become the official representative for your school.
Step 2: The Semi-Finals
Travel to the host university for mentorship, networking, and the preliminary pitch round.
Step 3: The Televised Finals
The top teams take the stage in front of a live audience and a broadcast viewership to pitch for the grand prize.
Seed Funding & Awards
We award $30,000 in total cash prizes to help you scale, no equity taken.
1st Place: $15,000
2nd Place: $10,000
People’s Choice: $5,000 (Fan Voting)
News & Updates
Timely updates and announcements from the Consortium.
ACComplishing Greatness at the 2026 ACC InVenture Prize Competition
April 22, 2026
The University of Notre Dame hosted the 2026 ACC InVenture Prize Competition, bringing together student innovators from across the Atlantic Coast Conference to pitch original ventures to a panel of expert judges. The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill team claimed the $15,000 first-place prize for Sensible, a pad-attachable menstrual patch that transforms menstrual blood into accessible health and wellness insights. The team includes Nandini Kanthi (Neuroscience and Community and Global Public Health), Vaishnavi Kode (Economics and Biology), and Vrutika Soneji (Health Policy and Management). The University of California, Berkeley team of Ethan Scott Foong (Data Science), Tom Blake (Data Science), Zac Gibson (Architecture), and Ibrahim Noon (Economics and Data Science) earned second place and $10,000 for MOFarm, which captures methane emissions from dairy farms and converts them into renewable natural gas. Hugo Davies (STEM Entrepreneurship and Computer Science) from Florida State University won the $5,000 People’s Choice Award for KeyRise, an AI-powered platform that helps everyday investors discover, analyze, and act on real estate opportunities. Modeled after Shark Tank, the competition highlights the ACC’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and student-driven solutions to real-world challenges. Read more about all of the teams, watch a replay of the competition, and stay tuned for dates for the 2027 InVenture Prize Competition at https://www.accinventureprize.com/.
A Battle of the Best Student Entrepreneurs of the ACC
January 16, 2026
The University of Notre Dame hosts the 2026 ACC InVenture Prize Competition on March 27th, bringing together undergraduate innovators from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a high-energy showcase of creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit. Shifting the competitive tradition of the ACC from the field to the stage, the InVenture Prize features student teams pitching original inventions and business ideas before a live audience and a panel of judges. This signature, conference-wide initiative reflects the ACC’s commitment to advancing undergraduate entrepreneurship, strengthening student-faculty engagement, and fostering camaraderie across member institutions. The competition will be broadcast on PBS affiliate stations and streamed on YouTube, allowing audiences across the conference and beyond to watch the next generation of innovators in action. Teams representing ACC colleges and universities will compete for $30,000 in prizes and the opportunity to be named the next ACC InVenture Prize winner.
Strengthening Academic Leadership Through the ACC Academic Leaders Network
January 12, 2026
The 2026 cohort of the ACC Academic Leaders Network (ALN) launches virtually on February 6, bringing together faculty leaders from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a year-long leadership development experience focused on strengthening academic leadership at every institution. Designed as a collaborative, conference-wide initiative, the ALN creates shared learning opportunities and connections that no single university could achieve alone. Through a series of in-person sessions hosted at ACC institutions, participants engage in immersive discussions and experiences that explore leadership at the interpersonal, institutional, and higher education levels. Across the program, faculty leaders exchange ideas, learn from diverse perspectives, and build lasting interinstitutional relationships that strengthen the ACC’s academic community. The hosts for the 2026 Academic Leaders Network are: Southern Methodist University – March 23–25 University of Notre Dame – June 29–July 1 University of Pittsburgh – October 5–7
Spotlighting Research and Civic Discourse at the ACC Debate Championship
January 9, 2026
The ACC Debate Championship will be hosted by Southern Methodist University from April 17–19, welcoming undergraduate debaters from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a competition that highlights research, civic engagement, and thoughtful dialogue. The championship provides a national stage for students to demonstrate academic rigor and persuasive communication through informed, real-time exchange. Bringing together participants from ACC institutions, the event showcases the power of evidence-based debate to advance critical thinking and civil discourse. Guided by the ACC Academic Consortium, the Championship celebrates students who excel at translating research into meaningful public advocacy.
Showcasing Undergraduate Research: ACC Meeting of the Minds at Florida State
January 5, 2026
The ACC Meeting of the Minds will take place April 10–12 at Florida State University, bringing together outstanding undergraduate researchers from across the Atlantic Coast Conference for a weekend dedicated to discovery, collaboration, and creative inquiry. Each ACC institution selects five exceptional student researchers, along with a university sponsor, to participate in this highly regarded annual conference. Chosen through a competitive refereeing process, student delegates present original, student-directed research conducted under faculty mentorship. Throughout the weekend, participants share their work, connect with peers from other ACC universities, and engage in meaningful academic exchange while building community across the conference. The ACC Meeting of the Minds celebrates the depth and diversity of undergraduate research at ACC institutions and highlights the vital role students play in advancing scholarship.