The Joan F. & John M. Thalheimer '55 EUREKA! Ventures Program is a monthly student entrepreneurship initiative to support projects with the potential to make a positive impact through the pursuit of innovative thinking and sustainable business models.
The Baker Institute can offer student entrepreneurs a variety of resources, ranging from mentoring and idea-stage funding, through assistance that comes in the form of co-working space, meeting, and maker spaces, skill building, internships, coursework, and an impressive infrastructure.
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How does Pitch Night work?
Students who have a great idea at any stage can apply to pitch live on Pitch Night. Applications are due 2 days before Pitch Night. They will be reviewed and students notified if they are selected to pitch.
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On Pitch Night, students will have a designated amount of time to pitch live, with a slide deck, in front of a panel of expert judges.
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After all pitches have been heard, the judges will meet and decide which teams will be awarded funding and/or mentoring opportunities.
Students are not competing against each other - only themselves. All teams are able to win, if they pitch well!
EUREKA! funds are given as grants and do not require students to give up any equity or ownership.
Stage 1 napkin sketch ideas and concepts you want to try out
Stage 2
prototyped ideas you've begun to validate technically and financially
Stage 3
prototyped ideas that have clear externally validated rationale both technically and financially
Stage 4*
prototyped ideas that have externally validated rationale technically and financially, a team to execute, and the ability/desire to take the idea to the world
*Stage 4 applications will be awarded once per year at our Innovate Celebrate Awards dinner*
Fall 2021
To be considered eligible for an award, students must submit an online application and present a live pitch.
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Have you pitched and won before?
Apply to pitch again! Either prove you've made progress and apply to the next stage or apply for a stage you've previously won!
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September 9 | 5 - 7 PM ET | Apply by 9/7 9 AM ET
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October 7 | 5 - 7 PM ET | Apply by 10/5 9 AM ET
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November 11 | 5 - 7 PM ET | Apply by 11/9 9 AM ET
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FAQ
Who should apply?
Current Lehigh University undergraduate and graduate students who are working on self driven entrepreneurial projects for which they need mentorship, financial, or technical support to move their projects forward.
What can I use awarded funds for?
To learn and further validate your concepts. Most commonly this translates to spending resources on; prototyping, professional gatherings (conferences, trade shows ect.), and user feedback.
What can't I use awarded funds for?
Items that create tangible assets for your company or venture operations. Most commonly this translates to not being able to spend resources on things such as; manufacturing equipment, manufacturing production costs, product inventory, marketing or sales cost, paying for intellectual property and paying for legal entity filing (LLC). ​
Still have questions?
Contact us at bakerinfo@lehigh.edu!​
Apply
Questions to consider before applying:
Stage 1 (Three minute pitch)
What is the problem you want to solve?
Why do you care about solving this problem?
What ideas do you have to solve it?
How would you spend (up to) $100 to work on your idea?
Stage 2 (Five minute pitch)
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
Why do you care about solving this problem?
Who is the customer and/or end user that has this problem?
How do you know? Who have you talked to?
How are your customers currently solving this problem?
What is your proposed solution to this problem?
What have you done to prototype your ideas? What do you need now?
How would you spend (up to) $500 to further develop your project?
Stage 3 (Seven minute pitch)
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
Why do you care about solving this problem?
Who is the customer and/or end user that has this problem?
How do you know? Who have you talked to?
How are your customers currently solving this problem?
What is your proposed solution to this problem?
What have you done to prototype your ideas? What do you need now?
What is your business model? What have you done to prototype your business model?
What is the revenue model? What is the cost structure?
​How would you spend (up to) $1000 to further develop your project?