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Horizons Challenge

Define the problem.

Format

Challenge

Duration

1-10 weeks

university eligibility

Any accredited U.S. institute of higher education

Small student teams conduct market research on a topic and put together a pitch to present to an audience that will vote on the best topic. The winning topic becomes the target for phase two, the Xperience Competition.

Xperience Competition

Solve the problem.

format

Competition

Duration

15-18 months

university eligibility

xFoundry Alliance Member universities

Over 15 months, student teams tackle the selected challenge, collaborating to develop and compete with their solutions, competing for the chance to transform their ideas into a venture in phase three with up to $2M in investment.

Launch Pad

Take the problem off the table.

Format

Accelerator

eligibility

Winning teams from the Xperience Competition

Launch Pad takes Xperience Competition winners and transforms them into viable startups by investing up to $2 million in each new venture and partnering founders with local specialized accelerators and experienced mentors as they exit the university.

Through these regional collaborations, xFoundry not only strengthens local entrepreneurship ecosystems but also creates a sustainable reinvestment cycle via the Founder’s Pledge, ensuring each success fuels the next generation of innovators.

Powered by the Resource MatriX

The Resource Matrix is xFoundry’s comprehensive support system available to students throughout Xperience. It equips innovators with everything they need to turn ideas into ventures, accelerating research, collaboration, and real-world impact.

Community engagement platform
AI-powered tools and workflows
Academic curricula

Expert mentor network
Marketing and creative resources
Funding pathways

Xperiment Academic Courses

Xpert Mentor Network

ConneXions Digital Community

Xpress Studio

CognoXent AI

Xponential Investment Fund

Xtrapreneurs Student Organization

Xpand Program

Xperiment Academic Courses

Xpert Mentor Network

ConneXions Digital Community

Xpress Studio

CognoXent AI

Xponential Investment Fund

Xtrapreneurs Student Organization

Xpand Program

You're doing fearless innovation. You're going to change the human condition. And for that, I salute you.

Jay Perman, MD

Chancellor, University System of Maryland

It is critical that you interact with broad disciplines in order to solve problems. You bring multiple disciplines to the table in order to find the best solution, fastest.

Samuel Graham, Ph.D.

Dean, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland

This is a watershed moment for the University of Maryland. This is the most innovative ecosystem that we could have ever created.

Darryll Pines, Ph.D.

President, University of Maryland

These are the kind of minds that we need to bring together because in order for us to innovate, it really takes people that are accustomed to thinking outside the box

Christyl Johnson, Ph.D.

Deputy Associate Administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA

Having a program like xFoundry that interacts and touches on all the colleges in the university is very important.

Amitabh Varshney, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland

By collectively bringing these different entities together, I think our students will have a profound impact on these really important problems. So I am super excited about the prospect of our students being involved in this.

Sarah L.J. Michel, Ph.D.

Dean, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Participating in multidisciplinary efforts like xFoundry will enhance our ability to truly embody and pursue the goals of our community.

Kimberly Griffin, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Education, University of Maryland

When different teams with diverse skills come together for a real-world project, the collaboration results in a great idea.

Prabhudev Konana, Ph.D.

Dean, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland

We're so interested in xFoundry because we need to get people who understand not just how to have a big concept, but also how to ensure that concept truly drives impact

Stacey Shulman

VP, Health, Education & Consumer Industries, Intel

Join the xFoundry Alliance

‍Partner with us to launch scalable ventures that solve global grand challenges.

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