July 13th - August 4th
Partners From
About The Event
Learn. Build. Launch.
What is the event
The Nexus Foundry is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to come together and transform ideas, whether starting from scratch or building on existing ones into something meaningful. This event not only offers a firsthand experience of the entrepreneurial journey but also helps you discover if entrepreneurship is the right path for you, while deepening the experience for those already passionate about it.
Who can join
All high school and university students are eligible to join. Whether you're just curious if entrepreneurship is for you, or a future unicorn, The Nexus Foundry is your launchpad to learn, build, and launch.
Benefits
The top 3 startups from The Nexus Foundry will receive guaranteed admission into ICUBE UTM's September 2025 Ideation Lab or Venture Forward intake. You'll gain access to their facilities, mentorship, networking events, pitch opportunities, early-stage capital, and potential press coverage.
What is the event
The Nexus Foundry is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to come together and transform ideas, whether starting from scratch or building on existing ones into something meaningful. This event not only offers a firsthand experience of the entrepreneurial journey but also helps you discover if entrepreneurship is the right path for you, while deepening the experience for those already passionate about it.
Who can join
All high school and university students are eligible to join. Whether you're just curious if entrepreneurship is for you, or a future unicorn, The Nexus Foundry is your launchpad to learn, build, and launch.
Benefits
The top 3 startups from The Nexus Foundry will receive guaranteed admission into ICUBE UTM's September 2025 Ideation Lab or Venture Forward intake. You'll gain access to their facilities, mentorship, networking events, pitch opportunities, early-stage capital, and potential press coverage.
What is the event
The Nexus Foundry is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to come together and transform ideas, whether starting from scratch or building on existing ones into something meaningful. This event not only offers a firsthand experience of the entrepreneurial journey but also helps you discover if entrepreneurship is the right path for you, while deepening the experience for those already passionate about it.
Who can join
All high school and university students are eligible to join. Whether you're just curious if entrepreneurship is for you, or a future unicorn, The Nexus Foundry is your launchpad to learn, build, and launch.
Benefits
The top 3 startups from The Nexus Foundry will receive guaranteed admission into ICUBE UTM's September 2025 Ideation Lab or Venture Forward intake. You'll gain access to their facilities, mentorship, networking events, pitch opportunities, early-stage capital, and potential press coverage.
What is the event
The Nexus Foundry is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to come together and transform ideas, whether starting from scratch or building on existing ones into something meaningful. This event not only offers a firsthand experience of the entrepreneurial journey but also helps you discover if entrepreneurship is the right path for you, while deepening the experience for those already passionate about it.
Who can join
All high school and university students are eligible to join. Whether you're just curious if entrepreneurship is for you, or a future unicorn, The Nexus Foundry is your launchpad to learn, build, and launch.
Benefits
The top 3 startups from The Nexus Foundry will receive guaranteed admission into ICUBE UTM's September 2025 Ideation Lab or Venture Forward intake. You'll gain access to their facilities, mentorship, networking events, pitch opportunities, early-stage capital, and potential press coverage.
What is the event
The Nexus Foundry is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to come together and transform ideas, whether starting from scratch or building on existing ones into something meaningful. This event not only offers a firsthand experience of the entrepreneurial journey but also helps you discover if entrepreneurship is the right path for you, while deepening the experience for those already passionate about it.
Who can join
All high school and university students are eligible to join. Whether you're just curious if entrepreneurship is for you, or a future unicorn, The Nexus Foundry is your launchpad to learn, build, and launch.
Benefits
The top 3 startups from The Nexus Foundry will receive guaranteed admission into ICUBE UTM's September 2025 Ideation Lab or Venture Forward intake. You'll gain access to their facilities, mentorship, networking events, pitch opportunities, early-stage capital, and potential press coverage.
TIMELINE
All timings are in EST
REGISTRATION DUE DATE
All participants must complete their registration by this date. You will receive a confirmation form in your email.
JULY 11 11:59 PM EST
OPENING CEREMONY
Official launch of the competition with introductions, competition details, and particulars about the 3 workshops!
July 13 2:00 PM EST
Ideation Workshop
Learn how to identify real-world problems and position your startup for success with experts from ICUBE UTM. Discover what judges look for in top teams.
July 14 2:00 PM EST
Growth Workshop
Learn modern growth strategies from experts at Turbo AI and Vogent. Discover how to leverage founder-led marketing and short-form content for organic growth.
July 21 2:00 PM EST
Pitch Workshop
Learn the art of pitching from Oliver Zou, CEO of Ultra (YC '24). Get insights on what investors look for and how to structure a winning pitch.
July 28 2:00 PM EST
SUBMISSION DUE DATE
Final deadline for all project submissions. All materials must be submitted by this time.
August 1 11:59 PM EST
Finalist Pitches + Closing Ceremony
An elite panel of 6 judges from Oxford University, TELUS, Opennote (YC S25), UMich, Nusmark, and Afore Capital will evaluate the top 10 finalist teams. Do you have what it takes?
AUGUST 3 2:00 PM
Our Partner
ICUBE's Decade Long Impact
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FAQ
Who can join, and is it really free?
Yes! Anyone can join and it‘s 100% free. That includes registration, mentorship, workshops, investor pitching, and even joining ICUBE UTM‘s incubator.
We welcome:
- High school students (all grades)
- University students (Year 1–5)
- Solo founders or teams
- People with or without startup ideas
- Participants from anywhere in the world
Do I need a startup or team to participate?
Nope! You can join with:
- An existing startup
- A brand-new idea
- No idea yet? We‘ll help you come up with one
You can work solo or with a team. If you‘re solo and want teammates, email: ahaanjacob.ftnx@gmail.com. Just make sure all team members register separately using the same team/company name.
What if I don't have a company name?
How does the program work, and how do I apply?
The program is fully online, running from July 13 to August 4. Most of it is flexible and asynchronous, with optional weekly workshops.
The only required events are:
- Opening Ceremony: July 13 @ 2 PM EST
- Closing Ceremony: August 4 @ 2 PM EST
To apply: Just fill out the short registration form! Takes less than a minute! You‘ll receive a confirmation email by the end of June with all next steps.
What if I've never started a business before?
Perfect! Our hands-on workshops will guide you through:
- Coming up with a startup idea
- Building it
- Pitching to investors
- Learning how to grow and get funding
What’s in it for you?
All participants receive a certificate. Top teams will get:
- Special recognition
- A chance to pitch to real investors
- Direct access to the ICUBE UTM incubator