Joe Oefelein, associate chair for undergraduate programs in the School of Aerospace Engineering, leads the program, which hosted its first competition in Spring 2026. AE partners with Fusen World Inc., led by CEO Chris Klaus and Community Partnerships Director Jennifer Whitlow, to help students develop and advance entrepreneurial ideas and ventures with relevance to aerospace engineering. Through mentorship, workshops, and industry engagement, participants gain the tools and support needed to transform innovative concepts into viable business opportunities.

At the conclusion of the competition, one or more teams may be selected to receive up to $150,000 in equity-based investment support, depending on the novelty and potential impact of the ideas presented. The investment includes $25,000 provided initially, with an additional $125,000 available upon successful demonstration of agreed-upon proof-of-concept milestones. This support is provided as an investment in the company and is not awarded as a cash prize.

Preparing for the Competition

The instructional core of the AE Entrepreneurship Challenge consists of a series of workshops held throughout the spring semester. Designed to guide students from idea generation to venture development, the workshops cover topics such as ideation, business model development, minimum viable product (MVP) creation, and storytelling and pitching.

Through these sessions, participants learn how to identify meaningful problems, validate potential solutions, and communicate their ideas effectively to a broad audience. The program culminates in the development and delivery of a clear, compelling venture pitch.

Workshop content is complemented by guest speakers and industry experts who provide insights tailored to participating teams and their areas of interest. This approach ensures students receive relevant guidance across a range of fields, including aerospace, software, and other technology-driven industries. A key feature of the program is personalized mentorship from entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors. Mentors help teams refine their ideas, validate customer needs, strengthen business strategies, and communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences.

Participating teams also gain access to Fusen World’s digital platform, which serves as a central hub for program resources and collaboration. The platform provides access to workshop materials, enables mentor scheduling, and allows teams to share pitch materials and receive feedback throughout the competition.

Team Formation

Teams typically consist of two to four students, providing a balance of collaboration, diverse skill sets, and accountability. Students are encouraged to form interdisciplinary teams and may include participants from outside aerospace engineering.

Successful teams often bring together complementary strengths, such as engineering, software development, communications, design, or business. While undergraduate participation is most common, graduate students are also welcome to participate. Any intellectual property considerations, particularly for research-based projects, should be addressed before the competition begins.