Are you an aspiring entrepreneur with brilliant ideas for the greater good? CUNY Clash, organized by CUNY Startups, is an annual competition designed to turn your vision into reality. Each year, this dynamic event invites students across the CUNY system to pitch their innovative business ideas for a chance to win a grand prize of $10,000, along with invaluable mentorship and exposure. The competition also awards $4,000 for second place and $2,000 for third place, ensuring that all finalists are financially supported to advance their concepts. Previous winners launched successful ventures, making significant contributions in various fields such as health care, education, and technology.
An Opportunity to Shine
CUNY Clash is more than just a competition—it’s a launchpad for creative minds eager to make a difference. Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, art, urban policy, financial literacy, or any other field, this is your chance to stand out. Students can choose their sector and pitch their ideas to industry experts and peers alike.
How to Participate
Participating in the CUNY Clash is straightforward. Students need to submit a short video and complete the official entry form. Here’s how to get started:
- Create a 60-90 Second Video: Share your idea in a short video, making sure it’s compelling and concise. The video should be public and accessible via a link, which you’ll submit with your entry form.
- Complete the Official Entry Form: Once your video is ready, fill out the official entry form to submit your idea. (Note: The form will open on January 16, 2025, and close on February 28, 2025.)
To assist students in creating polished and engaging videos, Panopto is available as a valuable resource. Panopto is a user-friendly tool that allows students to record, edit, and share high-quality videos (To access Panopto use your CUNYFirst login). For SPS students who may be new to video presentations, Panopto’s features make it easy to create a professional-looking pitch that effectively communicates your idea and captures the judges’ attention.
What the Judges Are Looking For
According to Adia Johnson, associate director of CUNY Clash, the judges in the first two rounds will be volunteer mentors who evaluate submissions based on availability. “The judges for rounds one and two are looking for videos that include all components of the requested criteria like clarity, commitment, practicality, and feasibility,” said Johnson.
Here’s what they focus on:
- Clarity: Is the idea clearly presented in the video and form submission?
- Commitment: How serious are you about making your idea a reality? Judges are looking for solid evidence of passion, experience, and/or past efforts.
- Feasibility: Is the idea feasible, economically and/or technologically?
- Practicality: Is the prize enough to make the idea a reality?
- Bonus Points: Creativity.
While the final judging panel for the in-person event on May 2, 2025, is not yet confirmed, CUNY Clash typically finalizes the panel about three weeks prior to the event. You can view the list of volunteer mentors, who serve as judges for the preliminary rounds, on the CUNY Startups Mentors page, providing an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the experts who may be reviewing your submission.
Timeline and Key Dates
The CUNY Clash follows a structured timeline to guide participants from submission through to the final competition. Key dates to remember including:
- Submissions Open: January 16, 2025
- Submissions Close: February 28, 2025
- Round 1 Winners Announced & Mentorship Begins: March 21, 2025
- Updated Video Submissions (Highly Encouraged): March 28, 2025
- Round 2 Winners Announced: April 11, 2025
- Photo and Release Form Due: April 18, 2025
- Final Live Competition at Amazon: May 2, 2025
These dates mark the essential milestones in the journey from idea to victory. After the initial submission, students advancing to subsequent rounds will benefit from mentorship and opportunities to refine their concepts, culminating in a live event hosted by Amazon on May 2, 2025.
Advice for First-Time Competitors
For students who may feel intimidated by the competition, Johnson has some encouraging words: “There’s no need to be scared. There’s also a week of access to mentors to help each participant strengthen their pitch for the final competition.” She emphasizes that CUNY Clash is an individual competition that celebrates each participant’s unique idea. “In order for your idea to become a reality, it has to be shared with the world,” Johnson said. She also highlighted that all finalists receive a monetary prize, providing a financial boost to advance their business concepts. “It’s a win-win situation,” she added, “You have a chance to get support and money for your idea.”
A Platform for Every Innovator
The CUNY Clash welcomes participants from all disciplines, celebrating the diversity and creativity within the CUNY community. Whether your idea is still in its early stages or well-developed, this competition provides a supportive environment to showcase your entrepreneurial spirit. With $10,000 in prize money and the opportunity to present at Amazon, the stakes are high, and the potential impact is even greater.
If you’re ready to bring your idea to life and make a difference, don’t miss out on this chance. Visit CUNY Startups to learn more, prepare your video with the help of tools like Panopto, and take your place among the next generation of CUNY innovators. The future is waiting, and it might just start with your idea at the CUNY Clash!
