Orlando Magic Innovation Challenge at UCF

The Orlando Magic Innovation Challenge at UCF engages and inspires students from all disciplines to offer innovative solutions to a real-world sports business challenge. The Magic are asking UCF students to help them address a current, high-priority challenge and are sponsoring cash prizes to reward those who propose creative, actionable solutions. Students will work in teams on campus, so build your own and register together or register on your own and let us help you find your tribe at the event.

Participating students will test their creative talents as they develop their proposals through an energetic weekend working with experienced startup mentors and innovation experts. There is no cost to participate. Plus, six meals will be provided between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, and $3,000 will be awarded to the teams judged to have the best proposals. The first-place team will also have a chance to earn an additional $10,000 and an exclusive "Magic Experience" by competing against teams from other Florida universities.

WIN $3,000 IN CASH AND AWARDS! 

✨ Eligibility 

• Open to all UCF undergraduate and graduate students.
• Individuals or teams may apply.
  • Students may participate in only one team.
  • Each team will present one proposal.
  • Team size is restricted to between three and five students.

 Key Dates 

• Info Session: Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. at the Blackstone LaunchPad
• UCF Campus Round: Sept. 20-22 at UCF's Main Campus BA1 Room 239
• Statewide Final (1st place only): Oct. 18-20 at the UCF Downtown Campus Dr. Phillips City Commons

 Judging Criteria 

All teams will have eight minutes to present, with five minutes of pitch time and three minutes of Q&A with the judges. 

1. Problem Definition
2. Target Market
3. Proposed Solution
4. Expected Impact
5. Growth Strategies
6. Team

 Event Flow 

• Friday, Sept. 20
  • 6 p.m. - Magic Challenge kickoff
• Saturday, Sept. 21st
  • 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Meet mentors; develop proposals
• Sunday, September 22nd 
  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Polish proposals 
  • 12-2 p.m. - Pitch practice
  • 2-4 p.m. - Presentations
  • 4 p.m. - Judges deliberate
  • 4:15 p.m. - Awards reception (adjourn at 5 p.m.)

 Prizes 

• 1st Place: $1,500
• 2nd Place: $1,000
• ️3rd Place: $500

How to Enter 

Individuals or teams can take on this challenge by providing their contact information in a survey form at Startuptree.

Click the “Take Survey” button, log in to Startuptree (or create an account) and complete the brief survey. Those applying as a team only need to fill out one survey for the entire team.

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