J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge
Do you have a big idea?
Pitch it for a chance to win a share of $35,000. This system-wide business plan competition is open to all on-campus LSU students and alumni (graduated within the last year) no matter their majors. Three finalists are selected to pitch for a share of startup cash in the final round in this Shark Tank-style event.
For more than a decade, the J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge has provided capital
to help LSU students launch and grow startup businesses. Whether you are operating
a business or developing an idea but don't have business experience, this competition
is for you.
Applications have closed for the 2023 competition.
2023 Competition Details
Round I: Application and video pitch submission. Round I submissions are closed.
Round II: Semi-finalists will submit a five-page executive business plan and pitch deck
Due date: March 29
Finalists will be announced April 5.
Round III: Three finalists will present live in-person pitches at the Business Education Complex
on April 19. Each finalist will receive a share of the $35,000 prize.
New this year! Optional sessions and workshops will help teams navigate the process and perfect their pitches.
- Competitors are required to meet all submission deadlines and guidelines.
- Applicants must be current LSU-system students (undergraduate or graduate) or alumni who graduated within the last year.
- Entries must be on-campus students (not LSU Online); alumni must have completed an on-campus degree program.
- Individual or team submissions are welcome.
- Applicants cannot be part of multiple teams.
- Competitors must be present during the entire competition and the final presentation.
- LSU student(s) must represent at least 51% of company ownership.
- Ventures cannot exceed $150K in lifetime revenue and/or $250K in lifetime equity investment.
Video pitch submissions are limited to two minutes. Watch this video for more on what makes a good submission.
Workshop: Financial Tutorial
Friday, March 10
All semi-finalists will receive a recorded tutorial on performing financial calculations
and writing the financial portion of the business plan.
Open consultations for semi-finalists
Week of March 20
Entrepreneurship faculty will provide consultations to semi-finalists about their
five-page executive business plans and pitch decks via one-on-one meetings.
2022 Venture Challenge Results
First place: Guise Medical LLC
Prize: $18,000
Student Founders: Zachary Connelly, Ross Rieger, and Evan Falgoust
Guise Medical LLC's patented MED-Pal covers aim to alleviate the stress of needles
at medical visits for kids.
Second place: Chckup
Prize: $10,000
Student Founders: Elliott Greenwood, Colin Hebert '21, Matthew Leyoub '21, and George
Villaume '21
Chckup reduces friction and increases customer conversions for appointment bookings
through our two-sided platform for vet clinics and pet owners.
Third place: Vibrant Entertainment Group
Prize: $2,000
Student Founders: Hunter Juneau '21, Blake Ducoing, and Emily Rose
Vibrant provides start to finish event planning while ensuring a smooth-flowing, stress-free,
and overall memorable event.
J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge 2022


Contact Us
Fahimeh Abbasi
Director, Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute
2230 Business Education Complex South
fahimabbasi@lsu.edu