Welcome to the 26th annual Big Bang! Business Competition!

The annual Big Bang! Business Competition provides a forum for innovators to collaborate, develop and test business ideas—and compete for cash prizes.

Eligible teams must have at least one founder affiliated with a California-based institution of higher education.

Please register early. Late submissions will not be accepted.

The competition format is as follows:

Competition Round Submission Deadline Round 1 March 3, 2026, by 1:00 PM - final deadline to enter the competition. Late and/or emailed submissions will not be accepted.Top teams from Round 1 will advance to Round 2Round 2April 6, 2026, by 1:00 PM: 2-minute video pitch, leave-behind pitch deck, 20 customer calls summary document, and the names/email of at least two engaged mentors.Top teams from Round 2 will advance to Round 3Round 3May 11, 2026, by 1:00 PM: Presentation pitch deck, 10 additional customer calls summary document

Teams must enter the competition no later than the Round 1 deadline to compete. Successful teams will advance to later rounds based on judging. Refer to the Big Bang! Rules and Tools page for competition overview, eligibility and requirements.

For questions and additional information, please email aggieinnovators@ucdavis.edu

https://innovate.ucdavis.edu/bigbang

UC Davis Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
2106 Gallagher Hall
Davis, CA  95616

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