Big iDeas has contests and big bucks for Mustangs who prefer to think outside the box.

SMU students with plans for the next big thing will be able to test their knowledge at the Big iDeas Pitch Contest on Friday, Oct. 30. The Pitch Contest will be from 2 to 5 p.m. in Hughes-Trigg Forum and will award one team $1,000 and three months to bring their idea to life.

Before the contest, students can sharpen their skills by attending Pitching Like a Pro on Friday, Oct. 23, in the CUBE at 3 p.m. The event will be hosted by SMU adjunct professor Trey Bowles, who is also the co-founder and CEO of Dallas Entrepreneurs Center (DEC).

“The Big iDeas Pitching Like a Pro seminar series is presentations by different SMU faculty that focus on different aspects of what makes a pitch stand out,” CUBE manager Megan Kohner said. “It will feature a lecture followed by a question and answer session which all SMU students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend.”

Teams will compete again in January during the Big iDeas Business Plan Competition, where one grand prize winning team will take home $5,000 and have one year to get their business plan started.