Designed for collegiate students and recent alums in Boston and beyond, you’ll meet movers and shakers from schools all across the Northeast, be inspired by fabulous speakers, and attend workshops that will help you build the skills you need to succeed – no matter your career goals.
Whether you’re interested in technology, business, social impact, or arts and culture, IDEA Con is the perfect place to get inspired. And even better, you’ll learn strategies to harness that inspiration and turn it into something real.
Watch a short recap of 2023's IDEA Con!
George Sherman Union
Saturday, October 25, 2025
(Subject to change)
9:00–9:45 AM – Check-in & Breakfast (Ziskind Lounge)
9:45 AM – Doors Open
10:00–10:50 AM – Opening Plenary
10:50–11:00 AM – Transition
11:15 AM–12:15 PM – Morning Workshops (choose one):
12:15–1:00 PM – Lunch (219A/B & Ziskind Lounge)
12:15–4:30 PM – Ongoing Activations
1:00–2:00 PM – Afternoon Workshops (choose one):
2:15–2:30 PM – Transition
2:30–2:50 PM – Boston TrEAT Party Opening Panel (219B)
3:00–4:30 PM – Entrepreneur Bazaar, Networking & Dessert Reception (219A)
Since 2018, IDEA Con has hosted thousands of young innovators from 20+ colleges and universities.
IDEA Con is powered by Boston University’s Innovate@BU, a University-wide initiative to enable all BU Terriers to become drivers of innovation in their own lives, careers, and communities.
The George Sherman Union buzzed with entrepreneurial energy on October 25 as 540 attendees, representing over 40 schools across the Northeast, gathered for the eighth annual IDEA Con, presented by Innovate@BU. This year's conference, the largest in its history, brought together student innovators who are tackling everything from sustainability in fashion to accessibility in education. […]
We’re thrilled to announce Sophie Letcher as a featured speaker at IDEA Con, the world’s largest cross-university student innovation conference, hosted by Innovate@BU on October 25! About Sophie Growing up in Montague, MA, she earned her B.A. in Neuroscience from Kenyon College before working as a technical research assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her […]
We’re thrilled to announce Ryan Wright & Dylan Beaudry as featured speakers at IDEA Con, the world’s largest cross-university student innovation conference, hosted by Innovate@BU on October 25! About Ryan & Dylan Ryan and Dylan are Boston-based entrepreneurs studying at Northeastern University, where they joined the Northeastern Startup Founders Program, a competitive initiative supporting student-led […]
We’re thrilled to announce Andrea Catania as a featured speaker at IDEA Con, the world’s largest cross-university student innovation conference, hosted by Innovate@BU on October 25! About Andrea Andrea is a passionate food justice advocate and culinary creative, dedicated to building food systems that are truly equitable for both people and the planet. Born and […]
We’re thrilled to announce Nevaeh Calliste as an emcee at IDEA Con, the world’s largest cross-university student innovation conference, hosted by Innovate@BU on October 25! About Nevaeh Through her work with the Enlight Fellowship, Nevaeh supports student founders building social impact ventures, helps foster connections with local organizations, and co-leads Social Impact Fridays at Innovate@BU. […]
We’re thrilled to announce Treshan Nilaweera as an emcee at IDEA Con, the world’s largest cross-university student innovation conference, hosted by Innovate@BU on October 25! About Treshan Currently a senior at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, Treshan studies Operations and Technology Management, aiming to merge his analytical mindset with his creative impulses to make […]
We’re thrilled to announce Jetrin Orenberg as a featured speaker at IDEA Con, the world’s largest cross-university student innovation conference, hosted by Innovate@BU on October 25! About Jetrin Jetrin is the founder of Comprehension Clicker, a passionate innovator, and a student at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he’s pursuing a double major in Electrical […]
Tickets are now available for IDEA Con 2025—the universe's largest cross-university student innovation conference taking place here at Boston University on October 25, from 9:00AM - 4:00PM. In just 5 days, over 600 people have already signed up. Registrants include students from all 17 of BU's schools and colleges, as well as movers and shakers […]