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Information on this page will be frequently updated, so keep checking back for additional details on these events and more. Recordings will be made available following each livestream event (see “Past Events & Recordings” section below).
February 27, 5:30pm – 7:00pm PT | 120 Blum Hall
The 2023-2024 Big Ideas Final Round is underway! The Big Ideas staff has prepared a series of workshops designed to support each team through their development of the full 8 page proposal and elevator pitch, due April 10th, 2024. For the first workshop, we will be going in-depth into each of the new proposal elements and discuss tips to develop a successful full proposal (open to all Big Ideas and Impact Fund Applicants). RSVP HERE
March 12, 5:00pm – 7:00pm PT | 120 Blum Hall
Join us to learn how you can create the most impactful and effective elevator pitch. In this workshop we will discuss expectations for the pitch video requirement and how you can create the best pitch possible. In the second half of the workshop, we will dive into a working session so you have an opportunity to begin crafting your perfect pitch (open to all Big Ideas and Impact Fund Applicants). RSVP HERE
March 14, 5:00pm – 6:30pm PT | 120 Blum Hall
Big Ideas has a special funding opportunity and associated workshop that is focused on educating students and teams about the importance of supply chain diversity and how diversity can increase profits, generate partnership opportunities, expand talent acquisition, build customer loyalty, and ultimately enhance the social impact of their projects. Big Ideas finalists participating in this workshop will be eligible to apply for the Supply Chain Diversity Special Recognition Prizes (three awards, $5K each). This opportunity is made possible thanks to a partnership between Big Ideas and the University of California Office of the President.
March 19, 5:00pm – 7:00pm PT | Online
Now that you have had a chance to work on your pitch, it’s time to put it to the test. Pitch your idea to our network of judges and mentors and gain valuable feedback before the application deadline. This online session will allow each team the opportunity to deliver their pitch multiple times to an array of industry professionals, in a 1-on-1 setting, and receive expert feedback. Please note you must RSVP for the Elevator Pitch Practice Session by Tuesday, March 5th (5pm). We need to know in advance exactly how many industry professionals to recruit for this event. Only sign up if you are 100% committed to attending the entirety of this event (no-show is not an option for this event.) Open to all Big Ideas and Impact Fund Teams. RSVP HERE (by March 5th!)
March 21, 5:00pm – 7:00pm PT | 120 Blum Hall
Learn how to effectively craft the Big Ideas Budget, Timeline, and Success Metrics sections of your full proposal application. The Big Ideas professional team will lead an overview and discussion highlighting examples, best practices and tips provided by successful past applicants (open to all Big Ideas and Impact Fund Applicants). RSVP HERE.
April 5,8, & 9 All Day | 120 Blum Hall & Zoom
With the Full Proposal deadline fast approaching (April 10th), come and receive last-minute advice on your Full Proposal application. Take advantage of this final opportunity to fine-tune your written proposal and elevator pitch and receive feedback by signing up for an advising appointment with a member of the Big Ideas advising staff.
April 10, Due by 1pm PT | Online submission
April 10th marks the deadline for Big Ideas and Impact Fund finalists to submit their Full Proposal Applications! Please allow at least 30 minutes to complete the entire process. Late submissions will not be accepted, so make sure to contact us if you have any questions.
Join us for our biggest event of the year, the Big Ideas Grand Prize Pitch Day and Awards Celebration where the entire Big Ideas community will recognize the most outstanding innovations of 2023-2024. Mingle with student innovators in a poster session explaining their 2024 Big Ideas (list of projects), then tune in as the top 5 Big Ideas teams vie for the $10,000 Grand Prize at the Big Ideas Grand Prize Pitch competition. RSVP will be shared in April.
November 18 | Due 1pm PT | Online submission
Deadline to submit your pre-proposal! Please carefully read all of the instructions on the Big Ideas application page and allow at least 30-45 minutes to complete the entire application/upload process. Late submissions will not be accepted, so make sure to contact us if you have any questions.
November 7th, 12:00pm PT | On-line Via Zoom
November 15th, 18th, 19th | All Day | 120 Blum Hall, UC Berkeley
With only a few days left before the pre-proposal deadline (NOVEMBER 20th!) come and receive last minute advice and help with your pre-proposal. Take advantage of this final opportunity to fine-tune your pre-proposal and receive last-minute feedback by signing up for an in-person or zoom advising appointment with a member of the Big Ideas staff. Find an Advisor and RSVP HERE
November 20th, 1pm PT | Online submission
November 20th marks the deadline to submit your pre-proposal! Please allow at least 30 minutes to complete the entire process. Late submissions will not be accepted, so make sure to contact us if you have any questions.
September 25th, 5:30pm PT | 120 Blum Hall, UC Berkeley
The first step to creating your Big Idea to address a Big Problem is to accurately identify and articulate the problem you are trying to solve. On September 25, we will be joined by Jill Finlayson, Managing Director of the CITRIS Innovation Hub who will share how to gain insights into the problem you are working to solve using Systems Mapping, a key entrepreneurial tool. Email BIGIDEAS@BERKELEY.EDU for recording/slides. 
October 3rd, 12:00pm PT | 120 Blum Hall and Online Via Zoom
Get inspired by the compelling stories of UC Berkeley students who made the transition from incarceration to higher education. Discover how the power of storytelling of FITE Film captures their transformative journeys and inspires change. The speaker session will be followed by an information session that provides students with details on resources and funding to help them launch their own Big Idea! Email BIGIDEAS@BERKELEY.EDU for recording/slides.
October 16th, 12:00pm PT | Haas Entrepreneurship Hub
Ashmita Kumar, the 2024 Big Ideas Grand Prize winner, will present how Code Blue’s innovative early stroke detection and rapid response technology transforms timely care, saves lives, and enhances patient outcomes. Join us at the newly opened Haas eHub for this engaging speaker session, which will also feature a brief information session on opportunities to get involved in UC Berkeley’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. (Recording not available.)
Postponed
Customer Discovery goes beyond interviewing potential customers. Customer discovery is essential for not only understanding the needs of the community you wish to impact, but also to understand how to best bring the solution to them. Join us on Oct 9th, where Program Director of the NSF Bay Area I-Corps Node, Dave Weiner, will share the fundamentals of conducting your own customer discovery and how to incorporate the insights into your social venture. Email BIGIDEAS@BERKELEY.EDU for recording/slides.
October 23rd, 5:30pm PT | B100 Blum Hall, UC Berkeley
Are you planning to apply to Big Ideas (deadline 11/20)? Then this is a workshop you don’t want to miss! Big Ideas advisors will provide guidance and feedback on how to effectively craft your Big Ideas pre-proposal. Attendees will receive detailed information on every element that is required in the 3-page pre-proposal submission, as well as examples and best practices from past Big Ideas applications. Email BIGIDEAS@BERKELEY.EDU for recording/slides.