ProgramsSHT 04 · PROGRAMS
Four distinct formats: a flagship competition, a candid speaker series, a hands-on sprint, and an open community door. Every program is free for Purdue students.
P01
Flagship Startup Competition
Once a year, founders from Purdue and across the Midwest come to compete: live pitches, expert judges, real prizes, and two days of workshops and networking built around one goal: helping the best student ventures take their next step.
P02
Founder Speaker Series
The Forge brings founders, operators, and investors to campus for candid conversations, not polished keynotes. What actually worked, what failed, and how they navigated the hardest parts of building a company.
P03
Hands-On Startup Sprint
The Pivot Challenge compresses the earliest stage of company-building into one fast sprint. Teams pick a real problem, pressure-test it, shape a concept, and pitch, learning by doing rather than by lecture.
P04
Nights, Workshops & Meetups
Startup community nights where builders meet builders, no pitch deck required. Hands-on founder workshops covering fundraising mechanics, product, and go-to-market. Coffee chats, mixers, and cofounder matching.
02Also in the shop
Pairing founders with Purdue alumni, local founders, and Midwest investors for ongoing 1:1 guidance and warm introductions.
The Anvil's cohort-based, accelerator-style program for selected teams, currently in redevelopment. Details will be published when the next cohort is confirmed.
Past programs are archived on the History & Impact page.