Presenting the $50k Hospitality Innovation and $12.5k Student Wellbeing Competitions
Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) is proud to announce the $50k Hospitality Innovation and $12.5k Student Wellbeing competitions. The competitions offer Boston University students the chance to tackle real-world challenges and create solutions for them. Competing teams can apply with just 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 Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Boston University’s Computing and Data Sciences Center.
For information and team registration: $50k Hospitality Innovation and $12.5k Student Wellbeing competitions. Applications are due on February 3, 2025
Upcoming Information Sessions
Open to all Boston University students to learn more about the competition and the application process. Pizza and refreshments will be served. Advance registration requested.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 12pm-1pm
BU IDG Capital Student Innovation Center, 730 Commonwealth Ave, Boston
Registration & Information
Thursday, January 30, 2025, 5:30pm-6:30pm
School of Hospitality Administration, 928 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
Registration & Information
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 $12.5k Student Wellbeing Competition focuses on innovative ideas or initiatives that promote the social wellbeing of students at Boston University. The success of these ventures is assessed based on creativity, novelty, reach, and feasibility to implement. Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st prize – $6,000, 2nd prize – $4,000, and 3rd prize – $2,500. The $12.5k Student Wellbeing Competition is in partnership with the School of Hospitality and Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University.
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 a combination of group classes, 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 $12.5k Student Wellbeing competitions.
These Innovation Competitions are made possible by the generous support of individual donors and these Boston University partners:
- BU Student Wellbeing leads a campus-wide initiative to support students’ health and wellbeing during their time at BU and inspire students to feel fulfilled each day, despite the ups and downs of life on campus. Its mission is to foster the holistic wellbeing of students by providing opportunities and experiences that enhance all dimensions of wellness, while equipping students with the tools to thrive as individuals and community members. Throughout the year, Student Wellbeing hosts and co-sponsors programs and events where students can join with others to pause, recharge, and learn tools to help them thrive.
- BU Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, a global leader in health and rehabilitation sciences and home to some of the country’s most highly rated professional health education programs – including the #1 doctor of occupational therapy program. Through its education, research, and clinical practice missions, Sargent has defined healthcare leadership for more than 140 years.
- 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.