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Draper Competition

The Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs is an on-ramp for undergraduate women seeking access to entrepreneurship opportunities, capital and networks.

Announcement

We are pleased to announce that the Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs is evolving into a new innovation event. Stay tuned for details coming in Fall 2024. Thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors, and students from across the country who have been instrumental in the success of the Draper Competition over the last decade. We look forward to sharing our future plans to continue spotlighting the innovations of undergraduate women founders. If you have questions, please email us at draper@smith.edu.

Melissa and Tim Draper watch student presentations

Crush the Glass Ceiling

“We imagine that Smith will become the entrepreneurial school for women.”

In 2012, Smith College, Tim Draper and Melissa Parker Draper ’77 forged a groundbreaking partnership to level the playing field for aspiring undergraduate female founders.

Explore the Draper Competition

About the Competition

A groundbreaking partnership aims to level the playing field for aspiring undergraduate female founders.

2019 Semi-Finalist Olivia Goff, Western Kentucky University

Prizes & Judges

This year’s competition provides more than $100,000 in cash and Draper University scholarships.

Top prize-winning team posing with Tim Draper

Sponsors

One-of-a-kind opportunities to recognize and support emerging generations of women entrepreneurs.

Wide shot of the competition venue

Our Impact

Every year since its inception in 2013, the Draper Competition has attracted ever greater numbers of strong undergraduate women entrepreneurs.

518

team leaders

146

team leader schools

948

team members

78

ventures started

$1.5M

in cash and prizes

The Draper Competition is the #7 collegiate entrepreneurship competition in the country, according to George Washington University and the Times of Entrepreneurship. For the second year in a row, Smith College stands out as the only liberal arts institution that hosts a competition highlighting women entrepreneurs.

Full Top 20 List

Contact Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs

Neilson Library, Room 103
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063
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