Student Startup Incubator
The Student Startup Incubator is the structured program of the Startup Competition to support you as you build and launch your venture towards pitch day, rooted in a Redemptive Entrepreneurship mindset.
Accountability
Weekly cohort meetings to keep momentum and clarity.
Direction
Office hours and AMA with the Director of Innovation.
Mentoring
Feedback sessions with advisors and industry experts.
Access to Capital
Connections and intros to vetted redemptive investors.
Pre-Incubator Events and Support (August – January)
Events
- Kickoff Event · Awareness
- BES Meetup · Awareness
- Idea Pitch Competition · Execution
- Christmas Innovation Fair · Testing
- Fun Christmas Event · Community
Resources and Support
- Co-working · Awareness
- Mentor Hours · Idea creation
- Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Office Hours · Polish
- Office of Innovation Office Hours · Polish
Key Milestones
- Concept Paper Workshop
- Concept Paper Application Due
- Announce Startup Incubator Cohort
Student Incubator Program (14 weeks + BUSC 100 Course)
Concept Paper Phase
- Transition from idea to validated concept; selection into incubator.
Launch (Weeks 1–2: January)
- Onboarding
- Evaluating idea potential
- Crafting a 30-second pitch
Foundations (Weeks 3–10: January – March)
Core Entrepreneurial Training:
- Empathy mapping
- Business Model Canvas / Value Proposition
- Team-building
Ongoing Support:
- Two mentors per startup
- Generalist (business and commercialization)
- Industry-specific (market expertise)
- EIR Connect for programmatic guidance
Hands-On Product Development:
- MVP creation (low fidelity & customer discovery)
- Prototype design and development (3D printing, VR)
- Product design team support
- Technical and design prototyping workshops
Presentation (Weeks 11–14: March – April)
Pitch-Focused Training:
- Pitch preparation
- Communication strategies
- Public speaking coaching
Leadership Development:
- Design Your Life (EIR-led)
- LinkedIn strategy for startup teams
- Investor relations: strategies, experiences and best practices
- Redemptive Leadership and StrengthsFinders
Showcase and Competition
- Spring Innovation Fair (with SMU)
- Biola Startup Competition | “Build a Business. Compete for Capital.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I register for the competition?
Email innovation@biola.edu to be added to the competition Canvas page with the subject line: Biola Startup Competition Registration.
What can I win?
This year, we have $20,000 in prize packages for the top teams. Prizes will be distributed based on the judges’ discretion but the top three teams often receive awards.
What is the expected time commitment of participating in the competition?
You can expect to spend a few hours a week working on your idea and attending sessions with experts and entrepreneurs. However, some teams may spend more or less time developing their idea depending on the venture.
I have an idea but I don’t have a team. What do I do?
Talk to friends, professors or classmates. We’d also love to help you find a team — email us at innovation@biola.edu for further support!
I have a team but still not sure what our idea is. What do I do?
Schedule a session with our team, and we can work with you to develop a concept based on your interest areas and skills.
I really want to participate, but I don’t have a team or an idea. What do I do?
No worries — this is more common than you think! Reach out to us by scheduling a coaching session and we will get you connected.
Schedule an Appointment
Raina Putri
Entrepreneur in Residence
Sarah Hartono
Entrepreneur in Residence