THREE DAYS. ONE CHALLENGE.

October 2-4, 2026

This is Red Raider Startup like you've never seen it before. Forget sitting through a weekend of workshops. The Red Raider Startup Challenge throws Texas Tech students and members of the Lubbock community into three fast-paced days of building, experimenting and creating. Walk in with an idea you've been thinking about for months, a problem you think somebody should solve—or absolutely no idea at all.

We'll help you find your team. Then the clock starts. Throughout the weekend, teams move through hands-on Startup Labs and fast-paced Challenges designed to unlock another piece of their Startup Blueprint. Find your customer. Define the problem. Build the business model. Test the idea. Create a demo. Tell the story. And see how far you can take your idea before time runs out.

How This Works

The clock starts on Day One. Meet your fellow challengers, form your team and choose a problem worth solving. Then it's time to build.

The weekend moves through a repeating series of Startup Labs and Challenges. Startup Labs are focused, hands-on 10–20 minute sessions where teams receive guidance and mentorship on one part of building their business—from developing a clear problem and identifying target customers to building a business model and creating a demo.

After each Lab, teams immediately put what they learned into action. These fast-paced Challenges give teams time to test assumptions, talk to customers, make decisions and push their idea to the next level of ideation.

This Challenge Is Built for Early-Stage Ideas.

Red Raider Startup Challenge is designed for people at the very beginning of the entrepreneurial process. You do not need to arrive with a company, a polished business model or even a fully formed idea.

We're looking for Texas Tech students and members of the surrounding community who are curious, creative and ready to explore what an idea could become.

The End of the Beginning

When time runs out, teams take their place for the Red Raider Startup Challenge Demo Showcase and show the judges—and everyone else— what they built.

Teams will compete for the Ultimate Grand Prize, People's Choice Award, Innovation Hub memberships, startup resources, prizes and more.

Build all weekend. Win all weekend. Finish big.