events
Islanders Ideas Challenge
The Buc Days Ideas Challenge is a business concept competition open to all students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Main Campus & RELLIS Campus). The program is a great way to test your business idea, technology, or innovations in a competitive setting. The program will highlight the most promising innovations and entreprenurial concepts developed by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi students.
Our alliance with Buc Days is an illustration of the mission of the Buccaneer Commision in action. The Buccaneer Commission has supported educational opportunities for area students since its founding in 1938. Beginning in 1996, proceeds from the Buccaneer Days Festival in Corpus Christi have benefited the Buccaneer Commission Scholarship Fund, which awards college scholarships annually to students residing in the Texas Coastal Bend. Learn more about Buc Days and the Buccaneer Commission here.
Congratulations to our 2022-2023 Winners!
1st Place
Oplex
Luke Raglin
Amber Wood
Rosaisela Cornejo
2nd Place
V.E.T: Very Easy Treatment
Macensey Clark
Remy McCluney
3rd Place
The Creative Minds Cafe
Lillie Rose
Seleste Canales
Cassandra Rangel
Prizes
first
$2,500
AND
1-year membership to the Coastal Bend Innovation Center Student Incubator
second
$1,500
AND
1-year membership to the Coastal Bend Innovation Center Student Incubator
third
$1,000
AND
1-year membership to the Coastal Bend Innovation Center Student Incubator
competition process
phase i
idea submission
Online application will be available on October 4, 2023. Application is not closed.
All contestants must complete and submit the online competition application no later than December 13, 2023.
Finalists selected to move on to Phase 2 announced January 17, 2024.
phase ii
coaching & mentoring
Coaching and mentoring will be available on February 3 thru April, 2024.
Final video and presentation due April 5, 2024.
phase iii
final competitive round
Rehersal for final virtual pitch April 10, 2024.
The Top 3 finalist will make a virtual pitch to a panel of Coastal Bend leaders and entrepreneurs on April April 12, 2024.
Pitch will be followed by Q&A.