The UC Davis Big Bang! program offers entrepreneurs two distinct ways to engage: a free, public workshop series focused on startup fundamentals, and a structured business competition for eligible early-stage teams.

Whether you are actively building a company or still exploring an idea, Big Bang! provides education, feedback, and a clear framework for developing and testing early-stage ventures.

The Big Bang! Workshop Series: Open to Everyone

The Big Bang! Workshop Series runs in January and February and is free and open to the public. You do not need to compete in the Business Competition to participate.

Led by industry experts, the workshops focus on practical skills that are relevant to entrepreneurs across sectors and stages. Topics include:

  • Intellectual property and venture law
  • Business canvas development
  • Market, business, and technology validation
  • Pitch storytelling and presentation design
  • Business model development
  • Delivering a clear and effective pitch
  • Learn more here

While many competition teams use the workshops to strengthen their submissions, the series is designed to stand on its own. Entrepreneurs who are not eligible to compete can still gain meaningful value through education, peer learning, and exposure to best practices.

Who Can Compete in the Big Bang! Business Competition

The Big Bang! Business Competition runs from March through May and is designed for aspiring and early-stage founders who want structured feedback, mentorship, and the opportunity to compete for cash prizes.

To compete, teams must meet one core eligibility requirement:

  • At least one founder must be affiliated with a California-based institution of higher education, including students, faculty, staff, or qualifying alumni

Teams that do not meet this requirement are not eligible to compete, but they are encouraged to participate in the workshop series.

Competing in the Big Bang! Business Competition

The Business Competition follows a multi-round structure with defined deliverables at each stage. All teams must register and submit materials through the competition platform by posted deadlines. Late or emailed submissions are not accepted.

Competition Structure and Timeline

Round 1

  • Deadline: March 3, 2026 at 1 PM
  • Deliverables: Executive summary and team bios
  • Outcome: Top teams advance to Round 2
  • Apply for round 1 here

Round 2 (Semifinals)

  • Deadline: April 6, 2026 at 1 PM
  • Deliverables:
    • Two-minute video pitch
    • Detailed pitch deck
    • Summary of 20 customer calls
    • Mentor engagement form
  • Outcome: Top teams advance to Round 3

Round 3 (Finals)

  • Deadline: May 11, 2026 at 1 PM
  • Deliverables:
    • Final presentation pitch deck
    • Summary of 10 additional customer calls

Finalist teams present in person on May 14, 2026. Winners are announced at the Big Bang! Awards Ceremony on May 19, 2026.

Prizes and Focus Areas

The Big Bang! Business Competition awards cash prizes for overall innovation and category-specific ventures. Focus areas include:

  • Energy and Sustainability
  • Food and Agriculture
  • Education and Educational Tools
  • Human Health and Industry
  • Animal Health and Industry
  • Social Entrepreneurship

Past participants have used Big Bang! to validate ideas, build traction, and advance toward operating companies, licensed technologies, or nonprofit ventures.

How Entrepreneurs Can Use Big Bang! Strategically

For founders who meet eligibility requirements, the Business Competition provides a structured environment to test assumptions, receive expert feedback, and compete for non-dilutive funding.

For founders who are not competing, the workshop series offers accessible education and insight into how early-stage ventures are evaluated. Both paths are designed to help entrepreneurs build stronger ideas and communicate them more effectively.

Wrap-Up

The UC Davis Big Bang! program offers two clear entry points for entrepreneurs: a free workshop series open to anyone looking to build foundational startup skills, and a competitive track for eligible teams seeking feedback and funding. Whether you are preparing to compete or focused on learning, Big Bang! provides a structured and practical way to move an idea forward.

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