BU School of Hospitality Administration presents $50k Hospitality Innovation and $20k Student Wellbeing Competitions
Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) is proud to announce the $50k Hospitality Innovation and $20k Student Wellbeing competitions. The competitions offer Boston University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as 2025 BU alumni, the chance to tackle real-world challenges and create solutions for them. Competing teams can apply, starting with an idea, and will then work with advisors and mentors to further refine their ideas during their time in the competition. The competitions culminate with final presentations and the cash-prize awards in front of a panel of judges and a live audience at the annual Hospitality Leadership Summit on Friday, April 10, 2026 at BU’s Wightman Mansion, 43 Hawes Street in Boston.
For information and team registration: $50k Hospitality Innovation and $20k Student Wellbeing competitions.
Key Dates:
Deadline for Submissions – extended to February 4, 2026
Finals & Awards at the Hospitality Leadership Summit: Friday, April 10, 2026
“At SHA, we view hospitality as a problem-solving mindset that can drive innovation and create value, improve livelihoods, and contribute to bottom-line profit,” said Arun Upneja, Ph.D., Dean of Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration. “The goal of the Hospitality Innovation and the Student Wellbeing competitions is to catalyze turning ideas into solutions and inspire students to become future Experience Innovators.”
BU SHA faculty member Barry Horwitz as Director of Innovation leads these initiatives. Horwitz, who teaches the School of Hospitality’s courses on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, brings a wealth of experience as a founder, senior executive, and advisor to venture-backed companies. His deep expertise in business strategy and pitch competitions, honed through his work with MassChallenge, Innovate@BU, Harvard Business School, and beyond, will be an invaluable resource for students. Under Horwitz’s leadership, these competitions will continue to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit that is at the heart of SHA’s mission.
The $50k Hospitality Innovation Competition welcomes all innovative ideas for new ventures focused on the hospitality industry. For eligibility requirements, judging criteria, and key dates, visit the SHA website. Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st Place Prize – $25,000, 2nd Place Prize – $15,000, and 3rd Place Prize – $10,000.
The $20k Student Wellbeing Competition is a partnership with BU Student Wellbeing which leads a campus-wide initiative to support students’ health and wellbeing during their time at BU. Arun Upneja, dean of BU SHA, initiated this collaboration in 2024 with Dr. Carrie Landa, Executive Director of Student Wellbeing, to encourage BU students to design initiatives that promote students’ social wellbeing. Ultimately, the winning ideas are designed and executed by BU students and for BU students, which propels their success. Prizes for the Student Wellbeing Competition will be awarded as follows: 1st Place Prize –$10,000, 2nd Place Prize – $6,000, and 3rd Place Prize – $4,000.
The Student Wellbeing Competition has grown each year thanks to partnerships across campus, including funding provided by BU Student Wellbeing, College of Communication, Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Hospitality Administration, School of Social Work, and Wheelock College of Education & Human Development.
In addition to very attractive prize money for the top three teams in each track, all participants will benefit from a multi-dimensional learning experience through one-on-one mentoring and access to experienced advisors and investors, helping teams further their business ideas and create a better future for the next generation of hospitality.
For Competition application information, visit $50k Hospitality Innovation and $20k Student Wellbeing competitions.
Innovation Competitions are made possible by the generous support of individual donors, investors, and mentors.
BU SHA is also grateful for the support of Innovate@BU and the IDG Capital Student Innovation Center is a university-wide initiative to enable all BU Terriers to become drivers of innovation in their own lives, careers, and communities. Through its physical home on the Charles River campus, the IDG Capital Student Innovation Center, it provides a variety of signature programs that foster an entrepreneurial mindset and help students turn their ideas into something real.