What is the Seed Money Challenge?
The Seed Money Challenge is your very first challenge at Tomorrow University, and it’s unlike anything you’ve done before. You and your team will have a short time to turn an idea into real-world results, putting your creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving to the test.
The twist? We won’t tell you exactly how it works until you’re in it. This is all about thinking on your feet, making the most of what you have, and seeing opportunities where others might not.
How it works
This is not about squeezing out the biggest profit; it’s about discovering how much impact you can make when you focus on your strengths, tap into your network, and think resourcefully. Along the way, you’ll practice acting quickly, testing ideas in the real world, measuring the difference you’ve made, and reflecting on what you learned. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and designed to show you that meaningful results can grow from even the smallest beginnings. Here are the steps;
How should I prepare?
You don’t need to prepare anything in advance. In fact, that’s the point. The challenge is about working with what’s in front of you in the moment. Just show up curious, ready to contribute, and open to unexpected ideas.
FAQ
How is value defined?
There’s no single “correct” definition of value here. It’s entirely up to your group to decide what value or impact means to you in this challenge. Think broadly — value isn’t always about money. It could be about social impact, environmental benefit, learning something new, or making someone’s day better.
How are the two hours tracked?
Your team is responsible for tracking your own time. We trust you — no one will be checking your stopwatch. The challenge is as much about how you use your time as it is about the outcome.
How much seed money will we get?
Part of the fun is not knowing in advance, it keeps the playing field level and encourages creativity, no matter the amount.
How do we receive the money?
You will receive a message after the official kick-off via Slack from one of us. In this message, you can select your preferred time slot and provide the email address of one member of your Mission Group so we can transfer the seed money via PayPal.
What is the presentation format?
Your team had up to three minutes to present, with an additional two minutes for questions. Whilst all of your team do not have to present, we strongly encourage this.
If you want to take your approach to the next level, see if you can connect your idea to your mission group’s mission. This can give your project an extra layer of purpose, and it might spark ideas you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.