The Perlman Grand Prize is made possible by a generous endowed donation from Ellen Hanson Perlman and Richard E. Perlman (W’68). The contribution represents the largest endowed gift to the Startup Showcase and will provide funding for this award in perpetuity. The winner is chosen by the Startup Challenge Finals judges, from the pool of 8 Finalists.

The winner will be chosen by the Startup Challenge Finals judges, from the pool of 8 Finalists.

Funding for this award is provided by the generous donation of Anastasia Ashton, WG’03 and Christopher Ashton, WG’03.

The Linn Family Innovation Prize is awarded to the team that is pursuing a venture that will, when brought to fruition, have true impact, disrupt the usual way of doing business, and accomplish real change in the world. The winner will be chosen by the Startup Challenge Finals judges, from the pool of 8 Finalists. Funding for this award is provided by the generous donation of Missy Bechler Linn, NU’91 and Eric A. Linn, W’92.

The Launch Award is given to the team with the best go-to-market strategy and demonstrated traction. The venture may have already launched in the marketplace or may have a launch date that is imminent. The winner will be chosen by the Startup Challenge Finals judges, from the pool of 8 Finalists.

These awards are given to the two teams in the Startup Challenge Semifinals or Finals who best exemplify the usage of innovative artificial intelligence in their business model.

Award given to student analytics ventures.

This award is given to the highest-ranking team in the Startup Challenge Semifinals or Finals who best exemplifies the ability to collaborate across multiple disciplines of study at the University of Pennsylvania. Funding for this award is provided by the generous donation of Michael and Christine Angelakis and the Angelakis Family Foundation.

This award is given to the highest-ranking undergraduate team in the Startup Challenge Semifinals or Finals. At least 50% of the team must be made up of Penn undergraduate students. Funding for this award is provided by the generous donation of the Frederick H. Gloeckner Fund.

This award is granted to a social impact venture. Funding for this award is provided by the generous donation of Andrew Jacobson, WG’93 and Marina Kunis Jacobson, G’93.

The Climate Award – supported by the ESG Initiative Climate Center – is awarded to the venture which promises to make the most impactful improvement on an environmental topic, including climate change, renewable energy, air and water pollution, waste disposal, biodiversity, and deforestation.

Awarded based on audience vote to one of the teams participating in the final round. Weiss Tech House focuses on engineering and technology startups and is thrilled to be supporting the Startup Challenge.

The Summer Venture Awards are intended to assist students financially over the summer in lieu of full-time internships so that they can focus on developing their entrepreneurial ventures. University of Pennsylvania undergraduate rising seniors and rising 2nd year Wharton MBAs are eligible to receive these awards. Penn graduate students who will be returning to Penn for at least one more semester are also eligible to apply.

An existing business is only eligible if, before the start of the current academic year, it has received less than $100,000 in institutional funding. Institutional funding includes any funding from angel investors, VCs (any stage, including seed), and/or accelerator/incubator programs. Winners are required to work on their ventures full-time over the summer.

Select winning teams will also receive in-kind awards of legal services and accounting and strategy services from the in-kind sponsors of the Startup Challenge.