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Horizons Challenge

Define the problem.

Duration

Semester

Prize

$2,040

Small student teams conduct market research on a topic and put together a pitch to present to an audience of industry experts that will vote on the best topic. The winning topic becomes the target for the next Xperience competition.

closed

Horizons Challenge

Next Registration opens:

September 2026

Xperience

Solve the problem.

Duration

15 - 18 months

Prize

Opportunity to secure up to $2M in investment & company launch

Over 15 months, student teams tackle the selected challenge, collaborating to develop and compete with their solutions, competing for the chance to transform their ideas into a venture with up to $2M in investment.

Open

Mental Health Xperience

Current Milestone

Team registration closes March 26, 2026

Xcelerate

Take the problem off the table.

duration

6 - 12 months

Xcelerate takes Xperience competition winners and transforms them into viable startups by partnering founders with seasoned CXO’s, strategic investor relationships, and operational support as they exit the university.

Xcelerate

Active for School safety Xperience competition winner: Team DefenX

Launch in April 2027

Powered by the Resource MatriX

The Resource Matrix is xFoundry’s comprehensive support system available to students throughout Xperience. It equips innovators with everything they need to turn ideas into ventures, accelerating research, collaboration, and real-world impact.

Community engagement platform
AI-powered tools and workflows
Asynchronous curriculum and mission guidebook

Free access to professional software
Expert mentor network
Funding pathways

Xpert Mentor Network

Xperience Mission Plan

ConneXions Digital Community

CognoXent AI

Xponential Investment Fund

Xchange

Xpert Mentor Network

Xperience Mission Plan

ConneXions Digital Community

CognoXent AI

Xponential Investment Fund

Xchange

Xpert Mentor Network

Xperience Mission Plan

ConneXions Digital Community

CognoXent AI

Xponential Investment Fund

Xchange

You're doing fearless innovation. You're going to change the human condition. And for that, I salute you.

Jay Perman, MD

Chancellor, University System of Maryland

It is critical that you interact with broad disciplines in order to solve problems. You bring multiple disciplines to the table in order to find the best solution, fastest.

Samuel Graham, Ph.D.

Dean, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland

This is a watershed moment for the University of Maryland. This is the most innovative ecosystem that we could have ever created.

Darryll Pines, Ph.D.

President, University of Maryland

These are the kind of minds that we need to bring together because in order for us to innovate, it really takes people that are accustomed to thinking outside the box

Christyl Johnson, Ph.D.

Deputy Associate Administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA

Having a program like xFoundry that interacts and touches on all the colleges in the university is very important.

Amitabh Varshney, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland

By collectively bringing these different entities together, I think our students will have a profound impact on these really important problems. So I am super excited about the prospect of our students being involved in this.

Sarah L.J. Michel, Ph.D.

Dean, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Participating in multidisciplinary efforts like xFoundry will enhance our ability to truly embody and pursue the goals of our community.

Kimberly Griffin, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Education, University of Maryland

When different teams with diverse skills come together for a real-world project, the collaboration results in a great idea.

Prabhudev Konana, Ph.D.

Dean, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland

We're so interested in xFoundry because we need to get people who understand not just how to have a big concept, but also how to ensure that concept truly drives impact

Stacey Shulman

VP, Health, Education & Consumer Industries, Intel

Join the xFoundry Alliance

‍Partner with us to launch scalable ventures that solve global grand challenges.

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