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Catalyst: Start Something

Contact Information

P: 864-656-3015
E: catalystcompetition@clemson.edu

Campus Location

118 Long Hall

Hours

Monday - Friday:
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

What is the Catalyst Competition?

Girl giving presentation in front of video wall.The College of Science Catalyst Competition is an entrepreneurship challenge that seeks to support students in developing their innovative business ideas in the areas of science and technology.

Each spring, student teams present their ideas to a panel of judges in a culminating pitch competition for a chance to win cash prizes.

Contact Information

P: 864-656-3015
E: catalystcompetition@clemson.edu

Campus Location

118 Long Hall

Hours

Monday - Friday:
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Supporting Students

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Preparation

A two-semester course is offered in the College of Science to help students prepare for the pitch competition. All Science students are eligible to join the competition even if not registered in the course.

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Mentoring

Student teams will work with industry and academic experts and can attend presentations or hear from speakers on topics related to entrepreneurship and innovation.

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Professional Development

As a participant, you’ll learn valuable skills for innovating and pushing the limits of your creativity in college and the outside world.

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Seed Funding and Grand Prizes

Each team accepted for the Catalyst Competition may be eligible to receive up to $500 in funding to help develop their project. The top three winning teams receive prizes of $2,500, $1,000 and $500.

Got an Idea?

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Student Requirements

Want to participate in the College of Science Catalyst Competition? Keep these points in mind:

  • Undergraduates and graduate students are welcome to apply. Graduate students are eligible to participate as part of a team.
  • Teams must have at least one SCIENCE student or be mentored by a SCIENCE faculty to be eligible.

The College of Science is home to the next generation of scientists who will lead the way through innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. The College of Science wants to help you develop your product and the skills necessary to turn it into reality.

Man, woman, man with microphone sitting in orange seats in a theater-type setting.Do you have an idea? Here are some things to consider:

  • Your idea must be student-initiated and directed. It cannot have been initiated, developed or supported (past or present) by faculty grant funding.
  • Your idea should be related to science. Any marketable idea will be considered.
  • Protection of intellectual property generated by the student teams is the responsibility of the students. Program advisers will work with the students on best practices of disclosure and confidentiality. Applications for the College of Science Catalyst Competition program will remain confidential and will not constitute a disclosure.

 

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2023 Catalyst Winners

When Clemson University first-year student Devin Casper had a wreck with his brother in the car, it scared him. He and his roommate, Soren Spina, a first-year biochemistry student, turned those concerns into the winning idea in the 2023 College of Science’s Catalyst Competition.

Watch Video

Donor Support

Sincere appreciation is extended to the Spiro Institute, the Spiro Institute Advisory Board, the Watt Family Innovation Center and alumni donor support of this initiative.