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.