The Duquesne New Venture Challenge has quickly become one of the region’s premier entrepreneurship competitions, giving aspiring entrepreneurs the funding, mentorship and resources to move bold ideas closer to market.
Since its launch in 2019, the DNVC has experienced significant growth. Participation has more than doubled, from 65 teams in its inaugural year to more than 150 teams in 2025-26. Prize funding has grown as well, from a $25,000 finalist prize pool to more than $125,000 in combined cash and in-kind awards.
For 2026-27, the finalist prize pool has increased to $65,000, with the winning team receiving $30,000. Finalists also receive valuable noncash support, including legal services, business consulting, mentorship and other resources designed to help promising ventures grow.
A Launchpad for Entrepreneurs
Today, the DNVC is more than a pitch competition. It is a launchpad for entrepreneurs and a reflection of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business’ commitment to innovation, economic impact and the entrepreneurial mindset.
Much of that momentum has been driven by Staci Offutt, director of the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and assistant professor of practice in entrepreneurship. Since assuming leadership of the competition in 2022, Offutt has expanded the DNVC by drawing on her network within Pittsburgh’s startup ecosystem to attract participants, strengthen industry partnerships and increase funding and resources.
“The competitors are getting better and better each year,” Offutt said. “We’re seeing more ventures that address meaningful societal challenges, strengthen communities, and advance sustainability, while demonstrating the level of innovation and market readiness needed to succeed beyond the competition.”
Learning Through Experience
As the DNVC has grown, so have opportunities for Duquesne students.
By integrating the competition into the entrepreneurship and innovation major curriculum, students can develop business concepts in the classroom and test them in a professional setting. Courses such as New Venture Enterprise, Product Innovation, Ideation Adventure and Guerrilla Marketing teach foundational skills needed to ideate, launch and market new business ideas.
Students also gain exposure to startup professionals, investors and mentors, building confidence and experience that prepare them to contribute beyond the classroom.
Impact Beyond the Competition
The DNVC’s impact extends well beyond the final pitch. Several finalist teams have gone on to secure funding, join accelerator programs and earn regional recognition. In recent years, HeadStrait Labs, Clean Plate Innovations, Aquatonomy, VELO.AI, DisSolves and MindTrace have been recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as startups to watch.
Aquatonomy, the 2024 DNVC winner, developed an autonomous robotic inspection platform for underwater infrastructure. The company has participated in Innovation Works’ Robotics Factory Accelerate Program and PGH Lab, a six-month paid program that allows startups to test new technologies in collaboration with city government. Aquatonomy also has received federal support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Office of Naval Research, U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
How It Works
The DNVC includes three stages and is judged by Duquesne alumni with professional experience in entrepreneurship and innovation. Participants submit video pitches, business summaries and business plans before finalists present in person to a panel of judges.
Current sponsors of the DNVC include LivePlan, F6S, Duquesne University’s Small Business Development Center, Duquesne University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, and Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney. Past sponsors include Bob Mallet, 412 Venture Fund and Blue Tree Capital.
Applications for the 2026-27 DNVC open Aug. 25, 2026.
