The RU Innovative Challenge is an exciting team-based competition designed exclusively for first-year entrepreneurship majors at Rowan University. This hands-on event introduces students to the fundamentals of problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork while addressing real-world challenges inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

How It Works
Students enrolled in the Introduction to Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Entrepreneurship course are automatically registered for the challenge and assigned to teams. At the start of the event, each team receives a problem prompt tied to an SDG-related issue. Using only the provided materials—such as poster boards, markers, and other creative supplies—teams collaboratively design a solution, build a prototype, and create a business plan.

After developing their ideas, teams pitch their solutions to members of the CEO Club, who act as judges and investors. Each judge is given $10 in "Prof Bucks" to invest in the ideas they find most promising. The team with the largest investment at the end of the competition is crowned the winner.

The competition focuses on building soft skills, including communication, teamwork, and creative thinking, and eliminates the use of electronics to encourage resourcefulness and collaboration.

Questions?
Please contact RCIE Director Jessica Vattima (wolk@rowan.edu).