The Boyd Venture Challenge is a seed-fund grant competition conducted in the spring semester each year. Companies are awarded up to $30,000 in startup capital. Funds may be awarded to one company or split among several companies.
In general, any legally established, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, student-owned business is eligible to apply. Specifically:
The application period opens during the spring semester each year. To apply, complete and submit the online application form. Final applications must be submitted via the online form in order to be considered for the competition. Once the applications are received, judges will review and invite selected applicants to pitch their business plan in person.
Be sure to answer all questions carefully, clearly, and professionally in the application process.
If you have any questions, please email ACEI@utk.edu
Executive summaries should include:
Applications should include a cover sheet with name, contact information, academic year and major. Do not include your name in the submission document itself. The document author must remain anonymous to the judges.
Once the applications are received, judges will review the executive summaries and invite selected applicants to pitch their business plan in person.
The Boyd Venture Challenge is made possible by the generosity of Randy Boyd, founder and executive chairman of Radio Systems Corporation, the makers of PetSafe, Invisible Fence and SportDog brands. Radio Systems is a business built on the knowledge that pets are members of the family. Radio Systems’ 400 worldwide employees produce the industry’s most popular and innovative products in pet training, containment, safety and lifestyle for an audience dear to their hearts: their own pets.