2026–27 Innovation Challenge · The Finals
Four finalist ventures take the stage to pitch live before a panel of expert judges and investors — competing for $17,000 in seed funding, decided in front of a packed house.
Last year's finals
The 2026 Innovation Challenge Finals drew a full house to Regis University. Watch the pitches, the deliberation, and the moment a winner was named.
The evening
A full year of mentorship and building, distilled into one decisive evening of live pitches, expert scrutiny, and real capital on the line.
Four finalist teams present on stage — eight minutes each to make the case that theirs is the venture worth backing.
A panel of investors, founders, and industry leaders questions each team in real time — and decides who walks away with the prize.
Real capital awarded live on stage — funding to take a venture from prototype to product.
Meet founders, investors, alumni, faculty, and the wider Denver startup community over drinks and conversation.
The judges crown a winner, and the audience casts its own vote for the People's Choice award.
Stay after the program for food, drinks, and the kind of conversations that don't happen anywhere else on campus.
The schedule
Two and a half hours, from doors to afterglow.
Check in, meet the founders, and see venture demos in the lobby before the program begins.
Four finalist teams take the stage — eight minutes to pitch, followed by live Q&A from the judge panel.
While the judges deliberate, the audience votes for People's Choice and connects over the reception.
Winners announced and prizes awarded, with recognition for every team that reached the finals.
The official program closes — but the conversations continue. Stay as long as you'd like.
The stakes
$17,000
in seed funding, awarded live on stage.
Every dollar goes directly to a Regis founder — capital to take a venture from prototype to product, and a place in the next chapter of the Innovation Challenge story.
Reserve your seatWho should come
Whether you're scoping a startup, scouting talent, or simply love a great pitch — this room is for you.
See what your peers are building, gather ideas, and picture yourself pitching next year.
Reconnect with Regis and see how the next generation of founders is carrying the torch.
Four screened, mentored, demo-ready ventures in a single evening.
Denver's startup ecosystem begins on its campuses. Be part of it.
The result of a year of mentorship, classroom learning, and student grit.
Meet other builders across the Denver startup community and trade notes.
Reserve your seat
Admission is free, but seating is limited and last year's finals filled the house. Reserve your place today.
RSVP on EventbriteQuestions? Email innovation@regis.edu