Launch is where ventures compete for $100k.
The season continues in the spring for teams that have moved from an idea to a real venture: a working product and demonstrated customer evidence.
- · Details, dates, and awards will be announced in November
- · Over $100,000 in cash prizes
- · A working product and demonstrated customer evidence
- · Concept participation is not required
- · Open to all UVA students, undergraduate and graduate
Key dates.
Full 2027 dates and application information will be announced in November.
- NovemberLaunch 2027 details announcedDates and application information coming soon
How Launch is judged.
The 2027 rubric has not been published — full details come in November. In 2026, Launch rewarded action already taken: a working product and customer evidence.
Customer evidence
Real users, paying customers, letters of intent, an engaged waitlist — proof of demand beyond the team’s own opinion.
Business model clarity
Pricing, unit economics, revenue model — defensible and already being tested, not theoretical.
Product readiness
Is it built and working? Can you show it? Are real people using it?
Go-to-market plan
A concrete plan for the first 100 customers — specific channels, costs, and timelines.
Founder-market fit
Why this team, why this problem — domain knowledge, personal connection, unfair advantage.
Last year’s winners.
Five finalists took the stage at Tom Tom Festival and split $100,000. Twenty-four teams reached the semi-finals.
- 1stCambrient AICollin Togher & Armaan Chakrabarti$40,000
- 2ndDueflowSantiago Schmitt & Charlie Meyer$25,000
- 3rdGoGoodMalorie BlackAudience Choice · +$10,000$15,000
- 4thReplication ScientificAlex Chen$5,000
- 5thOperative InsightsMatthew Dunovant$5,000
