
Cardinal Challenge
Real-world business plan competition for real cash and prizes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INNOVATION MBAThe 2023 Cardinal Challenge
July 27 & 28
UofL Shelbyhurst Campus
Founders Building
The best come together in this year’s heavy-hitting business plan competition as teams of entrepreneurial graduate students gather for their chance to win business start-up cash and prizes. Only the very best teams are chosen to participate in the Cardinal Challenge playoffs each year.
The teams present their innovative business concepts to a distinguished panel of judges comprised of experienced entrepreneurs and investors who provide start-up companies with the valuable feedback needed to make their companies successful.
Registration for the 2023 Cardianl Challenge has been closed.
Thursday & Friday
Schedule
Thursday | |
3:00 p.m. | Team Check in opens/ packet pick up |
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. | Expo and Welcome Reception |
7:30 p.m. | Tech Checks in Track rooms |
Friday | |
7:00 a.m. | Check in/Help desk reopens |
7:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Buffet |
7:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. | Business Plan Presentations – First Round |
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Lunch with keynote speaker, Chris Ratterman, CEO of Shady Rays |
Announce finalists | |
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. | Team Feedback Sessions with Judges |
1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. | Fast Pitch Competition (sponsored by The Center for Free Enterprise) |
2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. | Business Plan Presentations – Final Round |
5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. | Awards Dinner and Celebration |
Program Begins | |
Awards announced | |
Thank you
Sponsors



Brown-Forman Cardinal Challenge
The Brown-Forman Cardinal Challenge is a UofL academic competition with real-world opportunities and experiences designed to stimulate and reward innovative thinking and entrepreneurial persistence.
Learn MoreCardinal Challenge Competition Format
The Cardinal Challenge will showcase teams’ presentation savvy in two formats: Business Plan Presentation and Fast Pitch.
Learn MoreCardinal Challenge Competition Rules
Learn about competition guidelines, expectations, and eligibility.
Learn More