Jones Idea Challenge

Four teams of students presenting during the 2020 Jones Idea Reverse Corporate Pitch Challenge Finals.

Jones Idea Challenge | Reverse Corporate Pitch

COMPANY PROBLEM + STUDENT IDEAS + TEAM COACHES

Our newest entrepreneurial competition, designed just for undergraduate students: solve a real company problem, work with a team coach, and compete for cash prizes.

  1. Companies pitch a problem on the chosen theme.
  2. Teams of 1-2 students select a problem to solve and then work closely with a business coach to create an innovative solution.
  3. Teams will pitch back their solutions.
  4. Company Judges will award first, second, and third place prizes with cash prizes!

Program Details and Sign-Up

We felt we were part of a bigger movement to help those in need through the Jones Idea Challenge. After the competition, a representative from Giving Tech Labs let us know that she was interested in using our idea around sentiment analysis. Knowing that we were contributing to a real-world project which would help people was so rewarding. It was the reason we got involved in the first place.

Sharon Ideguchi & Veronica Garcia 2020 Jones Idea Challenge Winning Team

Work in reverse! A company pitches a problem to participating teams, and the teams work together to find a solution. Cash prizes are awarded to those who are the most successful. Video created by Nils Gollersrud, Bridge MBA '20.

The Herbert B. Jones Foundation has generously provided a grant to the Albers Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) to offer $5,000 in cash prizes for the winning teams.

Jones Idea Challenge Sponsor

The Herbert B. Jones Foundation has generously provided a grant to the Albers Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) to offer $5,000 in cash prizes for the winning teams. The Herbert B. Jones Foundation believes that entrepreneurism and small business are the backbone for the strength of our economic system.

Contact

Headshot of Peter Rowan

Peter Rowan

Lawrence K. Johnson Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship

prowan@seattleu.edu

Amelia Marckworth

Amelia Marckworth

marckwor@seattleu.edu