Programs & Competitions

Unlock funding, mentorship, resources, and more.

Our extracurricular programs offer the tools, mentorship, and community you need to succeed. From quick workshops to immersive experiences, we have a perfect starting point for everyone. Explore the categories below to find the right fit for you.

Need some help getting started? Book an office hour with a staff or expert-in-residence here.

Our Programs

(Go ahead, poke around!)

Let's break those down.

Toggle open the sections below to find relevant programs.





The Innovate@BU Experience

Hear what real BU students say about their experience participating in our programs.

Man with a microphone speaks at an event in front of a colorful backdrop

3…2…1…Pitch!

Pitch & Pizza is a fun Shark Tank–style event where you can pitch your big idea in 1 minute or less for a chance to win $100, or just enjoy the show and vote for your favorite!

See the schedule

Program Dates & Deadlines

First-Year Innovation Fellowship (FYIF) Regular Application Deadline

Day: Friday Jan 9th Time: All Day

New Venture Competition Info Session

Day: Thursday Jan 22nd Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm 730 Commonwealth Ave. Boston MA 02215

Summer Accelerator Application Opens

Day: Friday Jan 23rd Time: All Day

New Venture Competition Q&A Drop-In Session

Day: Friday Jan 23rd Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm 730 Commonwealth Ave. Boston MA 02215

Enlight Fellowship Program Info Session & Panel

Day: Friday Jan 23rd Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm 730 Commonwealth Ave. Boston MA 02215

New Venture Competition Q&A Drop-In Session

Day: Tuesday Jan 27th Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm 730 Commonwealth Ave. Boston MA 02215

Summer Accelerator Info Session

Day: Tuesday Jan 27th Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm 730 Commonwealth Ave. Boston MA 02215

New Venture Competition Application Close

Day: Wednesday Jan 28th Time: All Day

Looking Back on the 2025 First-Year Innovation Fellowship Experience!

The fall 2025 First-Year Innovation Fellowship wrapped up with 20 first-year students presenting ideas ranging from AI-powered meal planning to self-healing suture pads. Representing seven countries and a variety of BU schools, this cohort tackled problems in sustainability, healthcare access, digital literacy, and beyond. While FYIF has been around for more than five years, this […]

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Give the Gift of Student-Made: Your 2025 Holiday Shopping Guide

The holidays are here, and there's no better way to celebrate than by supporting student entrepreneurs right here at Boston University. Student-Made BU is an online marketplace that showcases the incredible creativity and business skills of our student community—featuring everything from handcrafted crochet animals to custom jewelry, original paintings, and beautiful floral arrangements. Be sure […]

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Announcing the 2025 Sustainability Innovation Seed Grant Recipients

This fall, BU students proposed new ways to make the campus more sustainable—from rethinking lab waste to redesigning streetlights. Through the Sustainability Innovation Seed Grants, a partnership between BU Sustainability and Innovate@BU, nine projects were awarded $500 and mentorship to kick-start solutions addressing the University’s most pressing climate and waste challenges. Each project aligns with […]

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Announcing the 2025 Wellbeing Innovation Seed Grant Recipients

This fall, Boston University students submitted proposals for how BU could address wellbeing challenges across campus—from financial stress and social isolation to physical health and academic pressure. Through the new Wellbeing Innovation Seed Grant program, a partnership between BU Student Wellbeing and Innovate@BU, 15 students have been selected to receive $500 and mentorship to launch […]

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