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X-WR-CALNAME:Big Idea Center
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Big Idea Center
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261001
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261002
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260721T181207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T124852Z
UID:18840-1790812800-1790899199@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:ChangeMaker Series - Session 1
DESCRIPTION:Do you want to make a difference in the work you do? What inspires you? What impact do you want to have on the world? The ChangeMaker Series is a free\, five-session experience for Pitt students who are curious\, creative\, and ready to shake things up. Learn how to think like an innovator\, work alongside a cross-campus cohort\, and learn from real-world change-makers. No startup experience or idea required\, just a desire to get involved and take action. \n\nFall 2026 BIC ChangeMaker Series Sessions:\nSession Dates\n*Dates\, times\, and topics covered are subject to change. (Location TBD) \n\nSunday\, September 20 @ 11:59 P.M. – Registration Deadline\nThursday\, October 1\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 1\nThursday\, October 15\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 2\nThursday\, October 29\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 3\nThursday\, November 12\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 4\nThursday\, December 3\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 5\n\n\n\nThe ChangeMaker Series will cover the following topics. Participants will receive a full schedule and speaker list once added to their cohort Canvas site. Session topics are subject to change. \n\nBecoming a ChangeMaker: Where the Journey Begins and Where it Can Lead\nSeek First to Understand: The Power of Curiosity and Empathic Inquiry\nCreating and Delivering Value: Defining Your ‘Why’ and the Mechanisms to Implement Change and Impact\nHuman Centricity in Creative Problem-Solving and Creating a Culture of Change\nBringing it All Together to Create Change\n\nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/changemaker-series-session-1/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261002
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261003
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260721T162810Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T124821Z
UID:18816-1790899200-1790985599@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:Big Idea Blitz - Practice Pitches
DESCRIPTION:Thinking of competing in the Big Idea Competition\, or a similar pitch competition? Want to gain valuable experience and boost your innovation skillset? Whether you are just tinkering with a new idea or prepping for a high-stakes pitch\, Big Idea Blitz is your launchpad. This immersive\, 24-hour+ virtual workshop is open to all University of Pittsburgh students – undergraduate\, graduate\, and students at regional campuses – and postdocs who are ready to turn their ideas into action. Big Idea Blitz is a supportive\, fast-paced environment meant to spark progress. Bring your curiosity\, your questions\, and your drive.  \nImportant Fall 2026 Dates\nDays\, times\, and locations for Big Idea Blitz events are subject to change. \n\nSunday\, September 13\, 11:59 P.M. (virtual) – Application Deadline\nFriday\, September 25\, Afternoon (virtual) – Kickoff: Introductions and Team Elevator Pitches\nSaturday\, September 26\, All Day (virtual) – Idea-Development Workshop with Big Idea Center Staff and Entrepreneurs in Residence\nFriday\, October 2\, Times TBD (virtual\, pitch slots to be scheduled during Saturday’s workshop) – Practice Pitches\n\nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/big-idea-blitz-practice-pitches/
LOCATION:Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261005
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261006
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260721T191754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T123055Z
UID:18856-1791158400-1791244799@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:Big Idea Challenge - Notification of Acceptance to Virtual Presentation Round
DESCRIPTION:The Big Idea Challenge is your entry point into innovation at the University of Pittsburgh. \nThis fast-paced\, high-impact elevator pitch competition is designed for early-stage concepts and emerging founders ready to take the next step toward turning an idea into reality. Held each fall\, the Challenge invites Pitt students at every level and from any school to develop\, refine\, and deliver a compelling elevator pitch that communicates the problem being solved\, the solution\, and the value behind their big idea. \nThis is your chance to sharpen and advance your vision and build your innovative and entrepreneurial skills. \nImportant Fall 2026 Program Dates\n\nSunday\, September 27 @ 11:59 P.M. – Application Deadline\nMonday\, October 5 (email) – Notification of Acceptance to Virtual Presentation Round\nWednesday\, October 7\, 6:00-7:30 P.M. (Zoom) – Team Information Session\nFriday\, October 30\, Pitch times to be scheduled with teams at a later date (Zoom) – Virtual Presentation Round and Q&A\nFriday\, November 13\, Afternoon\, Time TBD (Big Idea Center\, 3601 Forbes Ave.) – Live Final Round and Award Presentation\n\nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/big-idea-challenge-notification-of-acceptance-to-virtual-presentation-round/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261007
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261008
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260721T191848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T123022Z
UID:18858-1791331200-1791417599@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:Big Idea Challenge - Team Information Session
DESCRIPTION:The Big Idea Challenge is your entry point into innovation at the University of Pittsburgh. \nThis fast-paced\, high-impact elevator pitch competition is designed for early-stage concepts and emerging founders ready to take the next step toward turning an idea into reality. Held each fall\, the Challenge invites Pitt students at every level and from any school to develop\, refine\, and deliver a compelling elevator pitch that communicates the problem being solved\, the solution\, and the value behind their big idea. \nThis is your chance to sharpen and advance your vision and build your innovative and entrepreneurial skills. \nImportant Fall 2026 Program Dates\n\nSunday\, September 27 @ 11:59 P.M. – Application Deadline\nMonday\, October 5 (email) – Notification of Acceptance to Virtual Presentation Round\nWednesday\, October 7\, 6:00-7:30 P.M. (Zoom) – Team Information Session\nFriday\, October 30\, Pitch times to be scheduled with teams at a later date (Zoom) – Virtual Presentation Round and Q&A\nFriday\, November 13\, Afternoon\, Time TBD (Big Idea Center\, 3601 Forbes Ave.) – Live Final Round and Award Presentation\n\nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/big-idea-challenge-team-information-session/
LOCATION:Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261013T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261013T181500
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260827T131047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T131047Z
UID:18955-1791910800-1791915300@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:Start Smart Legal Series: Starting a Business with an F-1 Student Visa
DESCRIPTION:Students with a Visa can legally start businesses as well as work on a startup team. Come learn the details of how to do this without violating your student status and immigration options after graduating. \nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/start-smart-legal-series-starting-a-business-with-an-f-1-student-visa/
LOCATION:Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261016
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260721T181310Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T124734Z
UID:18842-1792022400-1792108799@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:ChangeMaker Series - Session 2
DESCRIPTION:Do you want to make a difference in the work you do? What inspires you? What impact do you want to have on the world? The ChangeMaker Series is a free\, five-session experience for Pitt students who are curious\, creative\, and ready to shake things up. Learn how to think like an innovator\, work alongside a cross-campus cohort\, and learn from real-world change-makers. No startup experience or idea required\, just a desire to get involved and take action. \n\nFall 2026 BIC ChangeMaker Series Sessions:\nSession Dates\n*Dates\, times\, and topics covered are subject to change. (Location TBD) \n\nSunday\, September 20 @ 11:59 P.M. – Registration Deadline\nThursday\, October 1\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 1\nThursday\, October 15\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 2\nThursday\, October 29\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 3\nThursday\, November 12\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 4\nThursday\, December 3\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 5\n\n\n\nThe ChangeMaker Series will cover the following topics. Participants will receive a full schedule and speaker list once added to their cohort Canvas site. Session topics are subject to change. \n\nBecoming a ChangeMaker: Where the Journey Begins and Where it Can Lead\nSeek First to Understand: The Power of Curiosity and Empathic Inquiry\nCreating and Delivering Value: Defining Your ‘Why’ and the Mechanisms to Implement Change and Impact\nHuman Centricity in Creative Problem-Solving and Creating a Culture of Change\nBringing it All Together to Create Change\n\nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/changemaker-series-session-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261027T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261027T181500
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260827T131149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T131149Z
UID:18957-1793120400-1793124900@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:Start Smart Legal Series: How to Handle Your (and others’) Intellectual Property
DESCRIPTION:Intellectual Property is an asset to be protected. This session will cover how to deal with IP issues\, including: \n\nDifferent ways to protect your company’s IP (copyrights\, trade secrets\, patents\, trademarks\, etc.)\nDifference between a provisional patent and a formal patent filing\nDeveloping a patent strategy\nHow to handle IP created by class projects when one or more of the student team members want to pursue commercialization\nTips on searching the US Patent Office Database (for prior ‘art’ e.g.\, existing patents)\nWhat to expect after filing a patent (time and expenses)\n\nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/start-smart-legal-series-how-to-handle-your-and-others-intellectual-property/
LOCATION:Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261029
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261030
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260721T181339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T124704Z
UID:18844-1793232000-1793318399@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:ChangeMaker Series - Session 3
DESCRIPTION:Do you want to make a difference in the work you do? What inspires you? What impact do you want to have on the world? The ChangeMaker Series is a free\, five-session experience for Pitt students who are curious\, creative\, and ready to shake things up. Learn how to think like an innovator\, work alongside a cross-campus cohort\, and learn from real-world change-makers. No startup experience or idea required\, just a desire to get involved and take action. \n\nFall 2026 BIC ChangeMaker Series Sessions:\nSession Dates\n*Dates\, times\, and topics covered are subject to change. (Location TBD) \n\nSunday\, September 20 @ 11:59 P.M. – Registration Deadline\nThursday\, October 1\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 1\nThursday\, October 15\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 2\nThursday\, October 29\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 3\nThursday\, November 12\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 4\nThursday\, December 3\, 3:30-5:30 P.M. – Session 5\n\n\n\nThe ChangeMaker Series will cover the following topics. Participants will receive a full schedule and speaker list once added to their cohort Canvas site. Session topics are subject to change. \n\nBecoming a ChangeMaker: Where the Journey Begins and Where it Can Lead\nSeek First to Understand: The Power of Curiosity and Empathic Inquiry\nCreating and Delivering Value: Defining Your ‘Why’ and the Mechanisms to Implement Change and Impact\nHuman Centricity in Creative Problem-Solving and Creating a Culture of Change\nBringing it All Together to Create Change\n\nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/changemaker-series-session-3/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261030
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261031
DTSTAMP:20260929T114656
CREATED:20260721T191922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T122950Z
UID:18860-1793318400-1793404799@bigidea.pitt.edu
SUMMARY:Big Idea Challenge - Virtual Presentation Round and Q&A
DESCRIPTION:The Big Idea Challenge is your entry point into innovation at the University of Pittsburgh. \nThis fast-paced\, high-impact elevator pitch competition is designed for early-stage concepts and emerging founders ready to take the next step toward turning an idea into reality. Held each fall\, the Challenge invites Pitt students at every level and from any school to develop\, refine\, and deliver a compelling elevator pitch that communicates the problem being solved\, the solution\, and the value behind their big idea. \nThis is your chance to sharpen and advance your vision and build your innovative and entrepreneurial skills. \nImportant Fall 2026 Program Dates\n\nSunday\, September 27 @ 11:59 P.M. – Application Deadline\nMonday\, October 5 (email) – Notification of Acceptance to Virtual Presentation Round\nWednesday\, October 7\, 6:00-7:30 P.M. (Zoom) – Team Information Session\nFriday\, October 30\, Pitch times to be scheduled with teams at a later date (Zoom) – Virtual Presentation Round and Q&A\nFriday\, November 13\, Afternoon\, Time TBD (Big Idea Center\, 3601 Forbes Ave.) – Live Final Round and Award Presentation\n\nLearn More
URL:https://bigidea.pitt.edu/event/big-idea-challenge-virtual-presentation-round-and-qa/
LOCATION:Virtual
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