Siperstein Challenge – 2026-2027 Team Application

Thank you for your interest in the Siperstein Challenge! We’re excited to learn about your venture and how we can support you.

The 2026–2027 Siperstein Challenge runs from November 2026 to February 2027. This in-person program supports undergraduate student founders at Emory whose ventures are in the middle-to-later stages of development — specifically Building, Testing, or Product/Market Fit (see stage definitions later in this form). Both for-profit and nonprofit ventures are welcome.

Participants are eligible to compete for an award at the Siperstein Showcase in February:

• 1st Place: $3,500
• 2nd Place: $2,500
• 3rd Place: $1,500

This application must be submitted by one designated Team Lead on behalf of your venture. Other team members are welcome to help gather information and draft answers, but only the Team Lead should submit the form.

The application has three parts:

• A short eligibility check
• Questions about you and your venture
• Program commitment confirmation and any additional information

There are several open-ended questions in Part 2, so plan for this to take some time. We recommend downloading the full question list in advance, drafting your answers offline with your team, and then returning to fill out the form in one sitting — this way you won’t risk losing your work partway through.

Applications are due by Friday, October 16 at 11:59 PM. 

Questions? Email Kendra Owens (kendra.m.owens@emory.edu) and Marshall Tucker (marshall.tucker@emory.edu) – we’re happy to help before you apply. 

Siperstein 2026-2027: Team Application

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Step 1 of 8

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Siperstein Eligibilty Check

Are you and all other members of your venture's team current undergraduate students at Emory University?(Required)

Yes

No

Using The Hatchery's Venture Stages, what stage would you say your venture is at?(Required)

Idea

Building

Testing

Product/Market Fit

Sustainability and Scale

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Eligibilty – Undergraduate Student Status

We’re sorry, but this program isn’t a fit right now. To be eligible for the Siperstein Challenge, you and all other members of your venture’s team must be current undergraduate students at Emory University. We encourage you to explore other entrepreneurship programs available at Emory. Questions? Email Kendra Owens (kowens8@emory.edu) and Marshall Tucker (marshall.tucker@emory.edu).

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Eligibilty – Venture Stage

We’re sorry, but this program isn’t the right fit for your venture’s current stage. The Siperstein Challenge is designed for ventures in the Building, Testing, or Product/Market Fit stages. If your venture is in an earlier or later stage, we encourage you to explore other entrepreneurship resources at The Hatchery: https://hatchery.emory.edu/programs/index.html. Questions? Email Kendra Owens (kowens8@emory.edu) and Marshall Tucker (marshall.tucker@emory.edu).

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Team Lead and Venture Information

This application is submitted by one member of your venture acting as the Team Lead. The Team Lead is responsible for submitting this application, coordinating with the alumni mentor on behalf of the team, and relaying deadlines, updates, and requirements to the rest of the team throughout the program.

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

NetID or Student ID number(Required)

Graduation Year(Required)

20272028202920302031

College(Required)

Emory College of Arts & SciencesGoizueta Business SchoolSchool of NursingOxford College

Team/Venture name(Required)

Please give us a 3-sentence overview of your project(Required)

When did you begin working on this project? (Date can be approximate.)(Required)

Are there other members on your team besides you?(Required)

Yes

No

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Venture Team Members

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

Do you have a 3rd team member?(Required)

Yes

No

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

Do you have a 4th team member?(Required)

Yes

No

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

Do you have a 5th team member?(Required)

Yes

No

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

Do you have a 6th team member?(Required)

Yes

No

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

Do you have a 7th team member?(Required)

Yes

No

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

Do you have a 8th team member?(Required)

Yes

No

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

Do you have a 9th team member?(Required)

Yes

No

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

Do you have a 10th team member?(Required)

Yes

No

Name(Required)

First Last

Emory Email(Required)

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Venture Questions

Please note: most of our review team will only see your answers to this application — they will not review pitch decks or other materials. Do your best to answer with data and evidence.

Who is the target audience or customer for your project? How do you know?(Required)

What problem or goal does this audience have that you’re solving for? How do you know this is a real problem?(Required)

What evidence do you have so far that your solution is the right one?(Required)

How is your solution better or different from current alternatives?(Required)

How will you acquire the funding and resources needed to support this project?(Required)

Is your venture incorporated(Required)

Yes

No

Tell us about who is working on this project. What makes you and your team (if applicable) the right people to solve this problem?(Required)

How will the Siperstein Challenge help you achieve your goals? What are your expectations or hopes for your participation?(Required)

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Siperstein Program Commitments

Before submitting, please confirm your understanding of, and commitment to follow the program’s requirements. The Siperstein Challenge runs from approximately November 1 to February 18.

Agreement One(Required)

I understand that all venture team members must be current Emory undergraduate students to be eligible for this program.

Agreement Two(Required)

I agree that all team members will attend the required in person event, the Siperstein Summit, on November 7, tentatively scheduled from 9:30am to 3:00pm at the Hatchery.

Agreement Three(Required)

I agree that all team members will attend and present my/our venture at The Siperstein Showcase on February 18.

Agreement Four(Required)

I agree that the team will complete the minimum 10 hours of engagement with an alumni mentor between the Summit (November 7) and the Showcase (February 18).

Agreement Five(Required)

I agree to track and report my team’s engagement with our alumni mentor, documenting a minimum of 10 contact hours throughout the program, with at least one mentor meeting per month from November through February.

Agreement Six(Required)

I agree to serve as the primary point of contact for my team and am responsible for ensuring that all team members receive the information necessary to understand and fulfill the program requirements and commitments.

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Additional Information

Is there anything else you want the review committee to know about your venture?

How did you hear about this opportunity?(Required)

Email from Career and Professional Development (CPD)

Hatchery Email

Other Emory Department Email

Career and Professional Development (CPD) Website

Social Media

Friend recommendation

Faculty recommendation

Other

Which department(Required)

Other(Required)

If you selected “Other,” please describe how you heard about the Siperstein Challenge.

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