Jacob Gray

Contributing Writer

East Stroudsburg University has begun hosting their second annual Warrior Startup Challenge, where students can win up to $10,000 with their business idea. According to ESU’s website, submissions for round one began on Aug. 24, and will end at midnight on Nov. 15.

There is still time if any students would like the opportunity to participate for round one before the deadline. All the student has to do is submit a two-minute video pitching their entrepreneurial idea.

“We’ve seen the talent that is on campus and we have a lot of creative and innovative students,” said Patrice Dume. Dume is the director of the University’s Business accelerator and entrepreneurship program along with her role as the organizer behind the Warrior Startup Challenge.

Dume said, “seeing the development of students’ ideas and the growth in the students themselves,” is what she enjoys most about the program.

One thing to remember is that if you’re confident in and believe in your product then the judges are able to see the potential in your business idea. But the students are surrounded by many mentors who are available to offer help with any aspect of their business proposals to help build that confidence in their products.

There are three rounds of the event. During the first round the students will submit a two-minute video which needs to include the following aspects:

• The name of your business or business idea
• What is your business or business idea?
• What problems or needs are you addressing?
• How are you solving that problem or need?
• Who are your customers?
• How will your business or business idea generate revenue?

For round two the students will have to create a Business Venture Profile, that explains their business idea in depth. According to the Warrior Startup website, a student’s Business Venture Profile must have the following which will be due by Mar. 1, 2027.

• One-line pitch
• Business executive summary
• Product line
• Customer problem and target market
• Marketing strategy and sales
• Competitive advantage
• Revenue and cost structure.

The third and final round takes place in April 2027 and will have the final three students pitch their business ideas live to a panel of judges/investors. They will be judged on the quality of the business idea, how it is pitched, and if it sounds like something they would be willing to invest in.

The monetary prizes for this will be $2,500 for third place, $5,000 for second place and $10,000 for first place.

“Just do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain even if it is the smallest desire,” said Dume for students who may have some hesitation towards pitching their ideas for a business.

If you’re still looking to participate in this year’s Warrior Startup Challenge then the link will bring you to the official page. It will explain how to register and how to submit your video to get you started with round one.