Tulane Business Model Competition
Objective
The Tulane Business Model Competition awards funding to early-stage student-led ventures that demonstrate a market-tested ability to adapt their business models to customer needs, rewarding founders who apply Lean Startup and Customer Development principles.
Description
Overview
The Tulane Business Model Competition (TBMC) is an annual student venture competition hosted by the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Tulane's A.B. Freeman School of Business. It showcases early-stage, student-led startups that demonstrate a market-tested ability to adapt to customer needs.
Eligibility
- Open to teams of one to five degree-seeking college students (undergraduate or graduate) from any college or university
- A student team member must generally serve as CEO, COO, or President, or students must hold 50% or more of key functional management roles
- The student team must hold at least 20% ownership of the venture
Format
- Initial written application
- Judges select six ventures to advance to a Semifinal Round
- Judges then select three finalists to pitch in the Final Round, where first, second and third place prize winners are determined
- Both the semifinal and final rounds take place at the Freeman School of Business, typically during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week
Notable Details
- One of the largest student venture cash-prize competitions in the country
- 2027 edition will be the 26th annual competition, with applications opening in September 2026
Final Round, 10 AM-1:30 PM CT
January 25, 2027
Public
Business School
Career
Entrepreneurship
innovation
International
Management
tmallery@tulane.edu, 504-865-5455 (Timekia Mallery, Lepage Center)
Tulane University Freeman School Of Business
Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, A.B. Freeman School of Business, Tulane University
First Prize: 75,000 $
Second Prize: 30,000 $
Third Prize: 20,000 $