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Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Mr. Wuf shoots a cash cannon over the CN Seamless team as they accept their check on stage

VenturePack Challenge

NC State's Largest Student Entrepreneurship Competition!

NC State’s Annual Flagship Startup Competition!

Originating in 2009, the VenturePack Challenge, formerly known as eGames, is an NC State student competition created for the purpose of providing guidance, resources, mentorship and cash to NC State student entrepreneurs. Maybe you’re working on a non-profit organization, a for-profit business, a solo-preneur with a side hustle, or maybe you’re not exactly sure what type of founder you may be! All ventures, organizational types, size and stages are welcome in the VenturePack Challenge.

There are two tracks for the competition – the student track and the Daugherty Endowment Track for officially registered startup companies that have licensed NC State intellectual property in the past three years.

Teams must forgo two rounds of judging across different categories, measuring everything from market feasibility, financial strategy and beyond. The student track is open to all undergraduate and graduate student teams comprised of at least 50% degree-seeking NC State students.

Meet the 2023 Finalist Teams

A compact, easy-to-use counter-top appliance capable of making fresh tofu.

A hands-off sepsis monitoring device that allows clinicians to continuously monitor patients.

A wearable glove for breast self-examination using a unique tech and analytics combination.

A device to perform thoracentesis and thoracoscopy at decreased time and cost, with maximized accuracy.

A textiles-based solution to water pollution.

A device for precise field steel fabrication.

A solution for anastomotic leaks that occur in colon-cancer related colectomies.

A pressure redistribution pad to prevent bed sores.

A user-friendly mobile option for nurses to chart and transfer patient data through touch or speech.

Rooftop solar power system for apartment complexes.

Populating a federalized access website for shared equipment labs to ease lab equipment reservation and use.

Makes finding the right people for your home build as easy as possible.

An organized e-commerce experience for college campuses that is quick and trustworthy.

A decision support system for rational crop disease management of when, where and how to protect their crops.

Daugherty Endowment Challenge

The Daugherty Endowment has been a contributing partner of the VenturePack Challenge since 2016, with the primary goal of increasing the success of startup companies based on NC State IP. The Daugherty Endowment Track is open to officially registered startup companies who have licensed NC State intellectual property in the past three years — meaning their licenses must be currently active. The funds allocated to winning companies can be used for critical early-stage business expenses.  For the past five years, the Daugherty Track has awarded prizes totaling $50,000 each year – with first place receiving $25,000, second receiving $15,000 and third receiving $10,000. In 2021, the Daugherty Track had two teams tie for first place.

The Daugherty Endowment Track is made possible by The Richard L. and Marlene V. Daugherty Centennial Campus Entrepreneurialism Endowment (Daugherty Endowment) with funding partnership from the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science and collaboration with the NC State Office of Partnerships and Office of Research Commercialization.

Learn More

The Daugherty Track at the VenturePack Challenge is made possible thanks to the following:

  • Richard and Marlene Daugherty Entrepreneurialism Endowment 
  • Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science
  • NC State Office of Partnerships
  • NC State Office of Research Commercialization

We also thank Eastman Chemical Company for their support.