Rankings considered non-dilutive cash grants, total in-kind support market value, and the number of participants as reported by representatives of each university’s competitions and schools’ websites for the prior academic year (fall 2020 to spring 2021). Competitions were rank-ordered in each category and assigned a point value. The total point values determined the place in the rankings. The standard “1224” competition ranking method was used if ties occurred. The ranking did not include competitions not affiliated with a university program, or those outside the US. 65 collegiate competitions were contacted for the list. 32 competitions responded and were counted for in the rankings data to create the Top 20 list.

The project was conceived in 2019 by George Washington University Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In 2020, Times of Entrepreneurship joined as a media partner. For the 2021 list, the research was conducted by an independent researcher and costs for production were borne by Times of Entrepreneurship. Going forward, Times of E will continue to publish the list and be responsible for its editorial integrity and independence.