Overview Rules & Awards

• October 16, 2027: Applications open
• January 15, 2027: Applications due at 12 PM (noon), CST
• Early February: Semifinalists notified
• February 12, 2027: Semifinal round (virtual)  
• February 13, 2027: lightning round (virtual)
• Mid-February: Finalists notified
• April 9-10, 2027: Final round (in-person)
   

Competition is comprised of 4 rounds – an application round, a semifinal round, a lightning round, and a final round.
For the application round, teams apply with their venture online. Applications generally go live in mid-October and close in mid-January. All teams must submit the following:

• 1-page executive summary  
• 90-second video pitch  
• Pitch deck  
• Team photo  
• Signed release forms  

For the semifinal round, teams will be sorted into ‘flights’ based on value category and industry. Each flight will consist of 6-8 teams. Teams will compete virtually under the following format:

• 7-minute pitch
• 7-minute Q&A from semifinal judges

The runner-up teams from each flight will go to the lightning round where they will have a second chance to pitch to the judges for a spot in the finals. Lightning round teams will compete virtually under the following format:

• 7-minute pitch
• 5-minute Q&A from lightning round judges

For the final round, teams should plan to arrive in Fort Worth the night of Thursday, April 8, 2027. Competition activities will begin early on Friday, April 9th. Teams will compete in-person using the following format:

• 7-minute pitch
• 10-minute Q&A from final judges

• Open to currently enrolled undergraduate students  
• Students graduating mid-year may be eligible  
• Graduate students may be part of a team’s venture but may not present

• Must be for-profit and values-based  
• Must address a societal or environmental need in the following categories: education, environmental sustainability, economic development, equality, or health/wellness  
• Must demonstrate potential for profitability  
• Must be majority owned by undergraduate team members
• Must not have previously competed in the finals 

• Teams must be comprised of 2 to 5 undergraduates
• Only one team per external university will be selected for the competition
• Teams may include students from multiple universities but must choose one to represent
• Team Lead must attend the university they are representing and if selected to advance, must present in all rounds of the competition
• All team members must present in the competition

• All venture submissions must be original work
• A faculty or staff sponsor is required to verify the work  
• Violations of competition rules may result in disqualification
• Competition events are public; confidentiality cannot be guaranteed  

The top 3 teams are allocated prize amounts from a $75,000 prize pool to advance their ventures for profit and societal impact. Judges select the top three places. Prize monies will be allocate by the Horned Frog Investment Network.

Special awards are supported by long-term partners and recognize ventures that demonstrate exceptional innovation and impact. 

• $2500 Sly Award for Innovation 
• $3000 Mittelstaedt/Waste Connections Innovation Awards for Environmental Responsibility (3 awarded)
• Founders’ Award* 
• Ripple Award* 

*amount and quantity fluctuates

Challenges are open to all students participating in Values and Ventures. 

All TCU undergraduates are welcome to participate in the challenges. To be eligible for prize monies, students must contribute to the competition meaningfully and participate in the in-person competition weekend.

Depending on the challenge, prizes could be awarded to individuals or to a team. Prizes amounts as follows:

• $500 Networking Challenge (individual prize)
• Investor Challenge (individual prizes)
• $1000 1st place
• $500 Runner up
• Social Impact Design Challenge (team prizes)
• $5000 1st place
• $2500 2nd place
• $1000 3rd place

There is no fee to participate. Selected semifinalists receive lodging, local transportation and most meals during the competition. Teams are responsible for travel to and from TCU. 

A values-based venture creates both financial return and positive impact, such as supporting sustainability, healthcare, education, economic development or equality. 

Teams present their ventures in timed pitch sessions followed by Q&A with judges during multiple rounds of the competition.