PASSWORDMANAGEMENT
External Events & Opportunities
At the Innovation Hub, we take great pride in our commitment to providing students with comprehensive support. In addition to our internal resources, we also offer a diverse range of external events and opportunities aimed at fostering innovation and creativity within our student community.
The Social Coyote
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, then check out this newsletter! Get weekly updates on events surrounding entrepreneurship & innovation, within the San Diego area.
Big Bang and Little Bang Workshops
Join us for a series of five insightful workshops that will help you launch a successful venture. Led by industry experts, you will learn best business practices and gain valuable knowledge, no matter what your field. These Zoom workshops are free and open to the public, so reserve your spot today. All workshops take place from 12-1:30 PM.
Learn more about these workshops and other events at .
Startup Support with Springboard
Connect's signature advising program, Springboard, actively guides innovation companies that seek external funding to fuel their rapid expansion. The program's flexible and customized model, notably no-cost and no equity, prepares founders with strategic guidance for an effective capital-raising campaign. Many Springboard companies have become Connect Cool Companies, and several were among the first recipients of recent investments made by the TL Fund. With an expansive track record, Springboard companies have raised $3.28B in capital since 2005.
SBA $1 Million Patriot Pitch Competition 2026
This nationwide contest will award a total of $1 million in cash prizes to small businesses whose innovation, grit and leadership are helping build America’s next great era of strength, prosperity, and competitiveness on the world stage. The Patriot Pitch Competition will progress through four stages of judging, with submissions evaluated on:
- strengthening American competitiveness
- innovating and demonstrating an outsized impact within an industry
- delivering economic opportunity and quality jobs
- showing strong fundamentals and execution readiness
The competition will culminate in a one-day finals event in Washington, D.C., to be held in September, where the top finalists will pitch live before a panel of notable judges and a national audience for national recognition and the opportunity to win a share of the $1 million prize pool funded by Clover. Upload your pitch using the submission link for your local District Office, by June 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
When and Where: The top 10 semifinalists will be announced the week of July 4, 2026, during the Great American State Fair. The five finalists will be invited to participate in a live pitch competition in Washington, DC.
SME Blue Sky Challenge 2026
Innovate Boldly. Inspire the Future of Manufacturing. The Blue Sky Competition is officially open for submissions!
Are you ready to challenge the status quo? The Blue Sky Competition is the ultimate stage for bold, transformative ideas that will drive the next era of U.S. manufacturing. We are not looking for incremental improvements. We want radical, interdisciplinary concepts that address the grand challenges of tomorrow. Finalists will present their ideas at North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC) 54. The winner receive national acclaim, while finalists gain paid conference registration and travel support.
Your idea could inspire the future and leave a lasting mark on the manufacturing community. Dare to imagine. Dare to lead. The future of manufacturing starts with your vision.
When: June 14–18, 2026
Where: Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA
