ideaMSU

i.d.e.a.MSU is a competition designed to provide Midwestern State University students, who have a business idea, the opportunity to hone their idea, get valuable advice, and win some start-up money to get the business rolling. The contest operates in two steps. During the first step, teams submit their five-page (maximum) business plan.
Idea MSU Logo

From those plans, the judges pick up to six finalists, who then make an oral presentation to the judges at the end of the spring semester.  The judges pick the winners based on those presentations.

So, what would be a great business venture? Solve a problem involving a lot of “pain.” Meaning people would pay a substantial amount for your product. Solve a problem that affects a large number of people who would buy your product. Solve a problem that is superior to any existing solutions. Your superiority could simply be that your product is cheaper to manufacture than existing products. Finally, solve the problem in a way that would be hard for any current or potential competitors to replicate.

About
Prizes

  • 1st Place — $750

  • 2nd Place — $500

  • 3rd Place — $250
 

  Event

 Day

 Date

 Time

 Room

Orientation 1:

 Wednesday

 03/25/2026 3:30 - 4:30 PM Dillard 274D

Orientation 2:

 Wednesday 04/01/2026 3:30 - 4:30 PM Dillard 274D