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TCU's Richards Barrentine Values and Ventures Competition

April 4-6, 2025

Empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

We invite undergraduate students from around the world to pitch ideas for conscious capitalism ventures that make a profit while also solving a problem. Recycling plants that employ the homeless. Better access to autism treatment. Human-powered farm machines. Real-time organ donor communication. Winners take home thousands of dollars to help make their ideas come true.

Our competition rewards both innovators and investors. Innovators (undergrads from around the world) can pitch their business plans and act as investors in the other teams in our Investor Challenge, choosing who they think will advance in the competition. We are also providing more chances to win. Each of the 42 finalists has a chance to win at least $1,000 in the challenge.

Applications will open in late October. Please check back then for the application. If you have questions regarding our application, please contact us at VandV@tcu.edu.

Values and Ventures is presented by the TCU Neeley Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and made possible by generous support from the Richards Barrentine Donor Advised Fund of the Texas Women’s Foundation.

 

How it works Rules and Guidelines

Apply Now See all winners

Totals Since 2011

194
Semifinalist Universities
225
Companies Launched
>100
Companies Operating
$1.6M
Sponsor and In-kind Support
$1M
Cash Prizes
750
Judges and Mentors
Section Image: Values and Ventures

About

Values and Ventures awards thousands of dollars in capital to undergrad students who have winning ideas for profitable companies that do well by doing good.

Prizes

Grand Prize $40,000
Second Place $25,000
Third Place $15,000
Honorable Mentions (5) $2,500 each

 

Special Awards

All teams are eligible for these special cash awards.

 
Mittelsteadt/Waste Connections Innovation Award $8,700
Awarded to a team whose venture shows promise to provide superior returns, remain environmentally responsible and grow in a disciplined way, deploying resources intelligently and benefiting the entrepreneur's local community.
   
James and Marjorie Sly Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award $2,500
Awarded to a team for demonstrating exceptional entrepreneurial innovation. Made possible by Marjorie and James Sly.
   
Investor Challenge  
   First Place $2,500
  Second Place $1,500
  Third Place $1,000
   
Networking Challenge $1,000
Awarded to the participant that most impressed judges, mentors, faculty, staff and other participants off the stage.

 

Supporting socially conscious business ideas around the world.

Each year, the TCU Richards Barrentine Values and Ventures Competition presented by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation invites undergraduate students from around the world to pitch ideas for conscious capitalism ventures that make a profit while also solving a problem. Watch a glimpse into the impact of the competition.