Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge (NVC)

OVERVIEW
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Launched in 1996, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) is recognized as one of the top-ranked accelerator programs in the nation. Through the NVC, the Polsky Center has graduated more than 600+ startup companies and created thousands of jobs for the economy.

NVC startups have raised more than $1.5 billion in funding and achieved more than $11.5 billion in mergers and exits. Companies launched through the NVC include household names such as Grubhub, Braintree/Venmo, and Simple Mills.

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Prizes and Investments

The New Venture Challenge invests over $1 million in startups each year thanks to the generosity of numerous alumni donors and investors.

In 2018, Rattan L. Khosa, ’79 generously endowed the first place investment. Since then, the amount invested in startups has grown over 250%.

Rattan L. Khosa, ’79 First Place Prize Winners
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2025 Winner:

Congratulations to Rayni for winning the Rattan L. Khosa First-Place Prize and a total investment of $825,000.

Rayni is a B2B SaaS company. Its AI-powered platform helps scientists get instant, reliable guidance for operating complex lab instruments – reducing time spent on trials, wasted precious samples, and emotional frustration.

Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge (NVC)

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Rattan L. Khosa, ’79 First Place Prize Winners —

Rattan L. Khosa, ’79 First Place Prize Winners
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