{"id":1392,"site":"eiexchange.com","slug":"meet-the-25-student-startup-teams-headed-to-e-fest-2026","title":"Meet the 25 Student Startup Teams Headed to e-Fest 2026","titleAPA":null,"type":"Commentary","typeSlug":"commentary","tags":[{"label":"student entrepreneurs","slug":"student-entrepreneurs"},{"label":"efest","slug":"efest"},{"label":"Student innovators","slug":"student-innovators"},{"label":"Student competitions","slug":"student-competitions"}],"body":"

MINNEAPOLIS, March 24, 2026<\/strong> \u2014 Student founders from across North America head to Minneapolis for the 10-year anniversary of the national entrepreneurship competition<\/p>\n

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Together, this year\u2019s finalists represent a diverse group of student entrepreneurs tackling real problems with creativity, insight, and determination.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Each spring, e-Fest\u00ae<\/a>, the Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge<\/strong>, brings together some of the most promising undergraduate student founders from across North America for a national weekend of innovation, mentorship, and competition.<\/p>\n

This year marks a special milestone as e-Fest celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2026<\/strong>, welcoming the next generation of entrepreneurs to share their ventures, test their ideas, and connect with a growing community of mentors, judges, and fellow builders.<\/p>\n

After a rigorous online review process evaluated by more than 50 entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders<\/strong>, 25 student startup teams have been selected as finalists and will travel to Minneapolis April 23\u201325, 2026<\/strong> to compete on a national stage.<\/p>\n

Hosted by the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas<\/strong>, e-Fest is made possible through the generosity of Dick Schulze and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation<\/strong>, whose long-standing commitment to entrepreneurship education has helped thousands of students pursue bold ideas and entrepreneurial careers.<\/p>\n

Together, this year\u2019s finalists represent a diverse group of student entrepreneurs tackling real problems with creativity, insight, and determination. The group includes ventures from returning universities as well as several schools participating in e-Fest for the first time<\/strong>, reflecting the growing national reach of the competition.<\/p>\n

In April, the University of St. Thomas campus will once again become a gathering point for the national community of student founders, mentors, educators, and startup leaders who support the next generation of entrepreneurs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the course of the three-day event, teams will pitch their ventures, engage with mentors and judges, and compete for a share of $250,000 in cash prizes<\/strong>, the largest prize pool in the competition\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

The finalists were selected through an online judging round made possible by more than 50 volunteer judges from across the entrepreneurship and investment community<\/strong>, whose time and expertise help ensure a rigorous and fair evaluation process. Their thoughtful feedback plays an important role in helping teams refine their ventures as they advance through the competition.<\/p>\n

But e-Fest is about more than winning.<\/p>\n

For many student founders, it represents an important moment in their entrepreneurial journey \u2014 a chance to test their ideas, connect with peers from across the country, and gain the confidence and insight needed to keep building.<\/p>\n

Follow the Journey to Minneapolis<\/h2>\n

Which teams will rise to the top? Which ventures will capture the attention of judges and audiences alike? And which founders will leave e-Fest with new partnerships, insights, and momentum for the road ahead?<\/p>\n

In the weeks leading up to the competition, we\u2019ll be sharing stories from the teams, judges, and mentors who make e-Fest possible.<\/p>\n

Follow along as we highlight the student founders, showcase the ventures heading to Minneapolis, and share moments from the national entrepreneurship community that gathers around e-Fest each year.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also have a chance to participate by watching the teams\u2019 Brand Builder Award<\/strong> videos and casting your vote for the concepts that stand out.<\/p>\n

Follow the Teams and Cast Your Vote<\/h2>\n

Leading up to the competition, the Top 25 teams will also participate in the Brand Builder Award<\/strong>, a fan-favorite opportunity for audiences to engage directly with the competition.<\/p>\n

Student teams will create short concept videos introducing their ventures and explaining the problem they are solving. These videos will be shared publicly for audience voting in early April<\/strong>, giving supporters, fellow founders, and the broader entrepreneurship community the chance to weigh in.<\/p>\n

The Brand Builder Award recognizes founders who demonstrate exceptional ability to communicate their venture\u2019s story, connect with an audience, and build excitement around their idea.<\/p>\n

Brand Builder Award<\/h2>\n