Every Idea Deserves a Stage.
Your first idea could become a company, a campus tradition, or simply change the way you see what’s possible.
IdeaStorm is the University of Iowa’s premier entrepreneurial competition experience, giving students from every major the chance to share an idea, get coached, build confidence, and compete for cash prizes.
Start at the BELL, join an IdeaStorm Campus Edition, or create one of your own. Wherever you begin, IdeaStorm gives you a chance to take the next step — and potentially earn your place at the annual IdeaStorm Championship.
Your IdeaStorm Journey
Start anywhere. Finish on the university’s biggest stage.
IDEASTORM AT THE BELL
The BELL’s flagship fall competition.
Submit your idea, get coached, and compete live for cash prizes and a chance to advance to the IdeaStorm Championship.
Want help finding or developing your idea?
Join us for Ideation Camp on Monday, Sept. 7 from 9:30–11:30 a.m. This hands-on session will help you uncover opportunities, explore ideas, and get ready for IdeaStorm.
No idea required.
Start here. See where your idea goes.
STEP 1 — Video Auditions
Submit a 2–3 minute video introducing your idea. No polished pitch required — just tell us what you’re thinking and why it matters.
Submission Deadline
Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 11:59 p.m. CST
STEP 2 — Finalists Announced
The BELL team reviews every submission and selects the finalists who advance to Hollywood Nights and the live IdeaStorm competition.
Finalists Announced
Friday, Sept. 18 | Noon CST
Each finalist receives an official Golden Ticket and the IdeaStorm Finalist Preparation Guide.
STEP 3 — Hollywood Nights
Sunday, Sept. 20 | 5–7 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 21 | 5–7 p.m.
Finalists receive personalized coaching to sharpen their story, strengthen their pitch, and prepare for the stage.
STEP 4 — IdeaStorm at the BELL
Finalists take the stage to compete live before judges and a campus audience for cash prizes, recognition, and a chance to advance to the annual IdeaStorm Championship.
Awards
First Place — $500
Second Place — $400
Third Place — $300
People’s Choice — $300
Top award recipients advance to the annual IdeaStorm Championship.
Bring IdeaStorm to Your Campus Community
IdeaStorm: Campus Editions
Innovation happens everywhere.
Bring IdeaStorm directly to your community. Colleges, departments, residence halls, student organizations, and campus partners can host their own IdeaStorm: Campus Edition — a fast, fun pitch competition built around the IdeaStorm framework.
Make it your own. Winners earn a Golden Ticket to the annual IdeaStorm Championship.
Imagine an IdeaStorm for...
Residence Halls
IdeaStorm: Burge Hall Edition
Student Organizations
IdeaStorm: Applied AI Club Edition
Fraternities & Sororities
IdeaStorm: Gamma Phi Beta Edition
Colleges & Academic Programs
IdeaStorm: College of Nursing Edition
Ready to bring IdeaStorm to your community?
Approved hosts receive the IdeaStorm Host Toolkit with everything needed to plan and run an official Campus Edition — plus support from the BELL team along the way.
The university’s biggest entrepreneurial stage.
Each spring, the year’s top innovators from IdeaStorm at the BELL and Campus Editions across campus come together to compete for larger cash prizes, campus-wide recognition, and the title of IdeaStorm Champion.
More than a final competition, it’s a celebration of how far students — and their ideas — have come.
For some, it’s the beginning of a new venture. For others, it’s the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey.
Either way, every great story starts with an idea.
Come see what makes the stage.
Want to be there when the year’s top student innovators compete for the title of IdeaStorm Champion?
Drop us your email and we’ll send you the details when registration opens.
