{"id":8701,"date":"2024-11-26T17:05:40","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T17:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/the-kiosk\/?p=8701"},"modified":"2025-06-12T20:47:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T20:47:36","slug":"calling-all-cuny-sps-innovators-join-the-cuny-clash-and-compete-for-a-10000-prize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/the-kiosk\/calling-all-cuny-sps-innovators-join-the-cuny-clash-and-compete-for-a-10000-prize\/","title":{"rendered":"Calling All CUNY SPS Innovators: Join the CUNY Clash and Compete for a $10,000 Prize!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Calling All CUNY SPS Innovators: Join the CUNY Clash and Compete for a $10,000 Prize!<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Katerina Lewis Archer || November 26, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur with brilliant ideas for the greater good? CUNY Clash<\/a>, organized by CUNY Startups<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Opportunity to Shine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CUNY Clash is more than just a competition\u2014it\u2019s a launchpad for creative minds eager to make a difference. Whether you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Participate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Participating in the CUNY Clash is straightforward. Students need to submit a short video and complete the official entry form. Here\u2019s how to get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Create a 60-90 Second Video:<\/strong> Share your idea in a short video, making sure it\u2019s compelling and concise. The video should be public and accessible via a link, which you\u2019ll submit with your entry form.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Complete the Official Entry Form:<\/strong> 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.<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    To assist students in creating polished and engaging videos, Panopto<\/a> 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\u2019s features make it easy to create a professional-looking pitch that effectively communicates your idea and captures the judges\u2019 attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What the Judges Are Looking For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    According to Adia Johnson<\/a>, associate director of CUNY Clash, the judges in the first two rounds will be volunteer mentors who evaluate submissions based on availability. \u201cThe judges for rounds one and two are looking for videos that include all components of the requested criteria like clarity, commitment, practicality, and feasibility,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s what they focus on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Clarity:<\/strong> Is the idea clearly presented in the video and form submission?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Commitment:<\/strong> How serious are you about making your idea a reality? Judges are looking for solid evidence of passion, experience, and\/or past efforts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Feasibility:<\/strong> Is the idea feasible, economically and\/or technologically?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Practicality: <\/strong>Is the prize enough to make the idea a reality?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Bonus Points: <\/strong>Creativity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      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<\/a> page, providing an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the experts who may be reviewing your submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Timeline and Key Dates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The CUNY Clash follows a structured timeline to guide participants from submission through to the final competition. Key dates to remember including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n