DUE TO THE HIGH DEMAND, REGISTRATION FOR 2026 IS CLOSED!
The Side Hustle Challenge is a free, in-person weekend event hosted by the Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship to kick off the spring semester! Designed for Iowa State University students of all majors and experience levels, this two-day event helps students discover, develop, or grow a side hustle and pitch their idea for a chance to win cash prizes.
What Is a Side Hustle?
A side hustle is any way you turn your skills, interests, or creativity into income alongside your primary focus as a student. It does not have to look like a full-time, traditional startup or business to count. Side hustles give students the opportunity to build real-world skills, explore entrepreneurship with minimal risk, test ideas, and earn income while in school. And YES! Having a side hustle does make you an entrepreneur!
If you are creating content, selling products or services, freelancing, licensing work, developing digital tools, or growing an audience around your skills, you are already operating a side hustle. This challenge is designed to help you recognize that potential, clarify your idea, and learn how to grow it.
What to Expect
The Side Hustle Challenge is a two-part experience that combines hands-on learning with a pitch competition. You must attend both days of the event in order to pitch your side hustle on day 2. Throughout the event, participants will work through a series of short educational sessions designed to help you:
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Identify or refine a side hustle idea
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Define your customer
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Create a clear value proposition (XYZ statement)
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Understand pricing and sales strategies
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Explore marketing and selling channels
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Learn how to pitch like a pro
You can attend with an idea or with nothing at all — we’ll help you brainstorm and build from the ground up.
At the end of the event, participants will present their side hustle ideas in a 90-second elevator pitch format for a chance to win prize money.
What to Bring to the Event
This event will be interactive and hands-on! So set yourself up for success by bringing the following items:
Pitch Format
Each participant or team will have 90 seconds to verbally pitch your side hustle idea in-person. A visible timer will be available to let you know how much time remains as you present. A bell will ring at 90 at which point presenters must stop. Technology is NOT allowed; no digital slide decks, no phones/tablets for reading notes and/or for showing ANYTHING digitally. However, presenter may use paper notecards with bullet points. Showcasing a prop, prototype and/or one drawing to help convey your idea is welcome. Handouts or business cards for judges are acceptable (bring four). Only one person may present the pitch. Other team members may be present and answer judges’ questions.
Who Should Attend?
The Side Hustle Challenge is open to all Iowa State undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major, college, or previous experience with entrepreneurship. It is ideal for students who are already working on a side hustle and want to grow it, students who may not consider themselves entrepreneurs but are curious about earning income on the side, and students who want to explore entrepreneurship for the first time.
Event Schedule
FRIDAY | February 6
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Kick-off & Pizza
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Creative Sessions
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Find a Side Hustle
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Who’s My Customer
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XYZ Statement
8:30 PM | Open Work Time
(Building closes at 11:00 PM)
SATURDAY | February 7
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | How-To Sessions
12:00 PM | Lunch (provided)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | How to Pitch Like a Pro
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Pitch Refinement & Open Work Time
(Mentors available for support)
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Final Presentation Instructions
3:00 PM | Final Pitches Begin, Followed by Judging and Awards
