The Wichita State University Center for Entrepreneurship invites students, faculty, business leaders, and community members to attend the 2026 Shocker New Venture Competition (SNVC)—a high-energy showcase of emerging startups and student innovation.
Taking place on Friday, May 1 in Woolsey Hall, this annual competition highlights the most promising new ventures from students across Kansas as they compete for funding to bring their ideas to life.
A Front-Row Seat to Innovation
Attendees are encouraged to join the Trade Show from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., where teams will bring their ventures to life through interactive booths.
Before the formal judging begins, each team will set up a booth that serves as the visual component of their pitch. As judges and guests visit, team members will deliver live pitches, answer questions, and engage in real-time feedback and discussion. Teams are expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of all aspects of their business model.
Guests will have the opportunity to interact directly with founders, explore innovative ideas, and provide valuable feedback—all while enjoying heavy appetizers and hors d’oeuvres.
How Judging Works
During the trade show, judges will visit each booth:
- Community judges (business leaders and professionals)
- Student judges
As judges visit, teams will pitch their venture and respond to questions. Judges will then “invest” in the ventures they find most compelling.
- The top 6 teams with the highest community judge investments will advance to the Finals
- The team with the highest student judge investments will receive the People’s Choice Award
Competition Highlights
Following the trade show, the top teams will advance to the final round:
- Final Pitches (Top 6 Teams): 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
- Judges’ Deliberations: 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
- Awards Ceremony: 3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Competition Prizes
Teams are competing for significant funding to accelerate their ventures:
- 1st Place: $20,000
- 2nd Place: $10,000
- 3rd Place: $5,000
- NextGen Entrepreneurs Choice: $2,000
- People’s Choice Award: $500
Why Attend
The Shocker New Venture Competition is more than a pitch event - it’s an opportunity to:
- Discover emerging startups before they scale
- Engage directly with student entrepreneurs
- Offer feedback that could shape the future of these ventures
- Connect with Wichita’s innovation and business community
Whether you stay for the full competition or stop by the trade show, your presence plays an important role in supporting and elevating the next generation of entrepreneurs.