The Joan F. & John M. Thalheimer '55 EUREKA! Venture Program is the Baker Institute's signature initiative in support of student venture founders from idea to launch - and all the steps in between.
You may know about our EUREKA! pitch nights, but did you know that our EUREKA! Venture Program in an all-inclusive initiative that offers Lehigh University students one-of-a-kind resources, mentoring, and support during every stage of the idea to launch continuum? Read more about everything that EUREKA! has to offer below...
IDEA
Have you found a problem in the world that needs a solution?
Do you have an idea for a solution, but don't know how to bring it to life?
Maybe you want to participate in pitch night but don't feel ready?
We offer weekly Idea Bounce sessions to help you clearly describe the problem you identified and move your idea forward!
Stop by for a low-key Idea Bounce session to meet with a coach and figure out what to do next.
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Need some funding to keep going? We can do that, too!
PITCH
You've identified the problem, you know who has it, you can express why exactly it's a problem, and now you're ready to develop a prototype of your solution!​
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Our signature monthly Pitch Nights give you the opportunity to pitch your student venture project in front of a live audience and a panel of reviewers.
This is your chance to really take your project to the next level. A well-designed pitch can unlock even more funding and other valuable resources to help you iterate upon your idea and bring it to life in exciting ways!
LAUNCH
Your entrepreneurial journey doesn't end with Pitch Night!
After pitching, we'll continue to work with you, connect you to our helpful network of alumni, mentors, and subject matter experts; guide you through important next steps to take your project even farther, and potentially help you to found your own company, if that's in your exit plan!
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Everyone's exploration of their entrepreneurial mindset is unique. No matter what your unique outcome, we'll be right there with you, every step of the way!
GETTING STARTED ON YOUR VENTURE PROJECT
We know EUREKA! Pitch Nights can feel intimidating. You might be wondering how to put together a solid pitch or how to turn your napkin-sketch concept into a student venture project that you can talk about in front of reviewers. The Baker Institute team is ready with resources to support your next steps before you apply for pitch night!
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Wednesdays
4pm-5pm​
Baker Institute
Whitaker Lab 318
If you are unavailable to join us at this time please feel free to schedule a time to meet with us.​​​
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These sessions are a great place for students to get started on applying their creativity and entrepreneurial mindset to a real-world Venture Project. We'll begin by talking about the problem, need, want, or desire you have identified and then we'll help you to figure out what to do next. This is a casual, judgment free, drop-in session intended to help you to get thoughts out of your head and into the world.
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Before applying to pitch on stage at a EUREKA! Pitch Night, we strongly suggest that everyone starts here! We are here to help you jumpstart your Venture Project, refine and fine-tune your pitch presentation, and even provide some funding to help you keep developing your idea!​​
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PITCHING YOUR VENTURE PROJECT​
EUREKA! Pitch Nights are similar to what you may have seen on ABC's Shark Tank. Students present their Venture Project ideas in pursuit of fellowship funding that helps them on their entrepreneurial journey. Project teams have identified a specific problem, need, want, or desire in the world and have started to develop potential ways to address it. These problems can vary in their scale, scope, and topic, making every event unique and exciting for all, even the audience!
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Students interested in applying should do so using the link below. Applications are alway due the Monday prior to the event.
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Monthly (usually) on the 3rd Thursday​
5:30pm-8:00pm
Baker Institute
Whitaker Lab Auditorium Room 303
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HOW DOES PITCH NIGHT WORK?
Students are not competing against each other - only themselves. All students have an opportunity to win. EUREKA! funds are given as grants and do not require students to give up any equity or ownership.
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Applications are due the Monday before each Pitch Night so the program leads can give it a quick test ahead of the pitch and you have time to make adjustments or improvements.
On Pitch Night, students will have up to 7 minutes to pitch their idea with a slide deck in front of a panel of expert reviewers and other students. The reviewers and audience have 7 minutes to ask clarifying questions and/or to provide feedback.
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TYPICAL RUN OF SHOW
5:30 - Welcome Message
5:35 - Team 1
5:50 - Team 2
6:05 - Team 3
6:20 - Team 4
6:35 - Break & Trivia
6:45 - Team 5
7:00 - Team 6
7:15 - Team 7
7:30 - Team 8
7:45 - Wrap-Up & Thanks
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After all pitches have been heard, the reviewers will meet and decide which teams will be awarded funding and/or mentoring opportunities. The program leader will notify all presenters of the next steps in the process and how to submit their budgets for any financial support available to them!
NEXT UPCOMING PITCH NIGHT:
Thursday, March 20, 2025
5:30pm-7:30pm
Whitaker Lab Room 303
Application Deadline: Monday, March 17 by 5:00pm
BAKER SUPPORT DOESN'T END WITH PITCH NIGHT
A successful EUREKA! Pitch Night is only the beginning of your journey with a student venture project. The Baker Institute's post-pitch support for student founders is a key resource on your journey through innovation, testing, prototyping, and more before launch.
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Students who win during a EUREKA! pitch night will unlock access not only to funding in support of their student venture project, but also to coaching, mentoring, and peer support designed to help you succeed well beyond pitch night.
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COACHING & MENTORING
As a pitch night winner, you will work with Baker Institute staff to discuss goals, next steps, and strategies for continued success.
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EUREKA! winners also gain access to our one-of-a-kind EUREKA! mentorship network - a group of experts within the startup industry who are excited to connect with the next generation of problem-solvers at Lehigh!