INSTITUTE OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
sponsored by Evermore Games, LLC
From Concept to Competition
The Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge, sponsored by Evermore Games, LLC, is an entrepreneurship competition for Hofstra University students administered by the Hofstra University Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE).
Business innovation is about using creative ideas to solve real problems, whether that’s a new product, service, or business model that makes a difference. This pitch competition is your chance to share how you would plan and execute your idea. Participation helps to build confidence in public speaking, refine your ideas and is an excellent résumé builder for any career path!
- 1st Place: $15,000 in prize money and four mentoring sessions with Mike Seiman
- 2nd Place: $6,000 in prize money and two mentoring sessions with Mike Seiman
- 3rd Place: $4,000 in prize money and one mentoring session with Mike Seiman
*mentoring sessions must be used by May 31, 2026
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge Schedule
Sponsored by Evermore Games, LLC
Spring 2026
March 2, 9 a.m.
March 4, 1 – 2 p.m.
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge Information Session
March 9, 1 – 2 p.m.
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge Information Session
March 20, 11:59 p.m.
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge Application Closes
TBD
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge Bootcamp
April 6, 11:59 p.m.
Executive Summaries due
April 10, 12 – 3 p.m.
IdeaHUb, Guthart Hall, Room 103
Competition; Winners Announced
How to Participate
Please read the information below carefully.
To take part in this exciting competition, submit your online applicationand email a 1 to 2-minute video describing your business idea to ideaHUb@hofstra.edu by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Do not exceed 2 minutes.
Finalists must submit an executive summary by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026 and give a 5-minute pitch presentation to a panel of judges during the pitch competition on Friday, April 10, 2026. The judges will select the first, second, and third place winners.
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: Noon-3 p.m.
Location: ideaHUb, Guthart Hall, Room 103
Frequently Asked Questions
All current Hofstra students including undergraduate and graduate students from any major and discipline.
No, you do not need to have a business, just an idea.
No.
The team leader and 50% of the team must be an eligible participant as defined in the rules.
Yes. You may enter this idea as long as it meets the specific requirements specified in the rules.
The Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship will assist you in coordinating these meetings.
A panel of judges may include experienced entrepreneurs and HU faculty.
If the team is disqualified prior to the competition, the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship reserves the right to offer that spot to another applicant. If the team is disqualified during the competition, the next highest scoring team will take its place. The team, at all times, must be comprised of 50% or more eligible participants as defined in the rules.
No, Hofstra University releases all intellectual property rights to the student teams. Hofstra will not take any equity in the company.
Submit your online application and email a 1 to 2- minute video describing your business idea to ideaHUb@hofstra.edu by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Do not exceed 2 minutes.
In the event that the number of applicants exceed the allotted timeframe for pitches by the application deadline, there will be a semi-final round. A panel of judges will review the submitted applications and decide which teams will advance to the final round.
Your application will be reviewed by the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, members of the administration and competition judges.
Yes.
Yes.
No, there is no required major for eligibility.
Five (5) is the maximum number of team members that can participate. Please review the rules and list the team members in your application.
All you need is a business idea to enter, however, if you would like to use the maker space to build a prototype, click here to complete the Maker Space Project Request form.
Requests are subject to the availability of equipment, materials and project deadline.
You will receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and the IIE team.
Yes, if it meets the eligibility requirements.
Yes, as long as the majority of the team is comprised of eligible participants as defined in the rules and the team leader is an eligible participant.
The Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) is an available resource for all members of the Hofstra community interested in learning more about entrepreneurship. The Institute provides workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
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