Celebrating 16 years of support for education entrepreneurs.

The 2025 application is now closed. Best of luck to all our applicants!

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Considered the most prestigious and well-funded competition of its kind, the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition celebrates and nurtures purpose-driven ventures that seek to advance teaching and learning through innovation.

Since 2010, it has awarded more than $2 million in cash prizes.

Learn about the application process

2025 Competition


  • Jan 15

    Application Opens

  • Feb 19

    Applications Due

  • May 1

    Semifinalists Announced

  • Aug 20

    Finalists Announced

  • Sept 11

    Live Competition

What Sets Us Apart

  • The Brightest Minds

    Thousands of ventures from more than 50 countries have applied to 
the EBPC.

  • The Biggest Ideas

    EBPC winners have championed innovations in virtual STEM education, speech-language technology, college eligibility, and more.

  • Unrivaled Partners

    EBPC is supported by the Michael & Lori Milken Family Foundation and Penn GSE.

Revolutionizing Speech Therapy Through AI-Powered Solutions

Learn what inspired the 2024 grand-prize winner, Erich Reiter, to found SAY IT Labs and his hopes for the future.

Read article Learn more: 2024 Finalists

2025 Awards

Since 2010, the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition has awarded more than $2 million in funding and support to education ventures making an impact through innovation. The 2025 awards were:

How to Apply

  • $40,000

    Michael & Lori Milken Family Foundation Grand Prize

  • $25,000

    Second place award

  • $10,000

    Third place award

  • $5,000

    Audience Choice prize

Watch: 2024 Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition Finals

Seven finalists pitched their ventures to a live judging panel as well as an audience of investors, researchers, and practitioners. The final competition was a keystone event of the HolonIQ’s 2024 Back to School Summit.