Drexel Startups Fund

Drexel Startups Fund is a twice-yearly pitch competition that supports student startup ideas. Generous donations from Drexel alumni fund the program.

The competition is run by the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship and supported through its Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship team. The competition provides non-dilutive grants, mentoring, investor introductions and incubation services to students for their startup ventures, with a preference for (though not exclusively for) promising senior, graduate or post-graduate students.

The competition has several stages:

• Application
• Application review and selection of applicants for due diligence
• Due diligence
• Selection Committee presentation
• Awards announcement

Eligibility

Applicants to the program can be from any major and include undergraduate students, graduate students and post-graduate students. We define post-graduate as someone having graduated within one year of the program application deadline.

How to Participate

A Drexel student must be the founder or co-founder of the venture as designated by the criteria outlined in the Rules and Legal Considerations. Carefully read and review the rules before applying.

Once you’re ready to apply, visit StartupTree: Competitions and select the Drexel Startups Fund.

Selection Committee

A Selection Committee comprised of Drexel faculty/staff and Drexel alums will meet to review applications and select the awardees. The Committee will recommend the awardees chosen for funding, with the final selection made and confirmed by the Office of the Dean at the Close School.

Specific selection criteria will be provided to the competitors.

Due Diligence Participation Requirement

Spring Quarter Only

Four to six applicants will be named as finalists, and those selected will be required to participate in the Close School’s Due Diligence class. During the quarter, student teams will analyze the applicants seeking funding and will provide recommendations on funding suitability to the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will also hear pitches from the applicants seeking funding and then decide on funding awards.

Students in the class (who sign non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements) will have access to applicant information as provided by the applicant (and made available in a secure data room). The information to be provided by the applicant may include business plans, financial projections, marketing plans, legal agreements and other pertinent details about your startup. You will also be expected to meet with your assigned student team to answer their questions as they perform their due diligence and prepare their presentation to the Select Committee. Note that competition finalists cannot be registered for the course.

Awards

All awards are considered “scholarships” and will be processed through the Financial Aid office. Review the official university policy. If you owe a balance to Drexel, your award will be applied to your balance first and then a refund can be issued through Financial Aid for the difference. You can then use the e-Refund process to move the funds into your bank account. See drexel.edu/drexelcentral/billing/refunds for more information. Note that appropriate reporting of the payment will be made by the University in compliance with applicable taxing authority guidelines.

Fall 2026 Schedule

• Sunday, Oct. 18, 11:59 p.m. ET: Applications due
• Oct. 19-26: Online judging review and scoring of applications
• Tuesday. Oct 27: Finalists announced
• Final Presentations: Friday, Nov. 6 (during Drexel Startup Fest)