Students are urged to dive into the world of entrepreneurship and innovation

 

POSTED ON Jul 03, 2025

 

College students who are members of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) are encouraged to submit proposals for innovative ideas in the Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Innovation Bison Bump Business Plan Challenge.

Active AISES members across the U.S. and Canada are welcome to participate, and teams of up to five individuals are encouraged to explore ideas related to food security, preservation, storage, environmental sustainability, marketing, production methods, the transfer of food knowledge, and more.

Whether you’re developing a product, service, or concept, it’s an opportunity to bring vision to life. Submissions will be evaluated based on innovation, cultural relevance, community impact, and feasibility.

Each of the five finalist teams will be assigned a mentor by AISES, providing guidance and support as they prepare for their live presentation at the 2025 AISES National Conference.

This challenge invites startup concepts that aim to uplift and empower Indigenous communities.

The theme for 2025 is “Innovation for Indigenous Pathways,” which emphasizes culturally grounded innovation that provides sustainable, community-driven solutions with the potential for crowdsourcing.

Prizes and awards include: First Place: $1,500, Second Place: $1,000, Third Place: $750, People’s Choice: To Be Determined (TBD).

Finalists should prepare a 60- to 90-second pitch video. These videos will be promoted on AISES platforms, allowing audiences to support their favorite ideas.

Finalists will present their concepts live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the winners will be announced at the closing ceremony of the 2025 AISES National Conference.

AISES is a non-profit professional association dedicated to increasing the representation of American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, First Nation, and other Indigenous peoples of North America in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as other related disciplines.