Generation Create: Student Startup Madness

Calling all entrepreneurs: Student Startup Madness, the premier, nationwide tournament that offers college students the chance to “live the entrepreneurial dream,” has geared up for its third annual competition.

Student Startup Madness is a tech-oriented startup competition, open to all student-run digital startups from any college/university in the nation. The only requirement for applicants is that their startup must be in concept, in development, or in operation while falling under any of the following categories: Web & Online Capabilities, Social Media, Digital Entertainment (film and music), Gaming, Software, Mobile Apps, News & Information Technologies, Health Informatics & Innovative e-Commerce.

Student Startup Madness has been an official program of SxSW and SxSW Startup Village for the past two years. Teams submit their startups and compete against each other for the opportunity to grab the attention of potential investors and leaders in the startup community at the SxSW Interactive.

During the first round of the competition, the SSM Selection Committee chooses 64 teams. In the second round of the competition, 32 startups are chosen from the initial pool of 64, and in the final round, the “Entrepreneurial Eight” are selected.

These eight teams are invited to pitch to a celebrity panel of well-known entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and investors at the Student Startup Madness national finals at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas in March 2014.

SSM is a truly unique and awesome opportunity to have your business idea taken seriously and potentially fueled and funded by the right people.

"Every March, South By Southwest becomes the epicenter of digital media and the startup world. It's absolutely the RIGHT place for college student startups to show their stuff. We are located in the main venue of the Startup Village and we get to showcase the best and brightest college student startups. It really shows the caliber of innovation and entrepreneurship that is happening on college campuses across the country. It's truly amazing.” - Sean Branagan, Founder

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity. Make sure to apply for your chance to be one of the “Entrepreneurial Eight” before the deadline on December 6th!

Top Photo Courtesy: Student Startup Madness