Winterim is an immersive week of problem-solving and networking where students collaborate to identify problems then formulate and execute innovative solutions. Students learn life skills as well as pitch skills, and the entire experience helps them translate their liberal arts training to the workplace. We are grateful that our over 60 business and nonprofit leaders treat our students not just as mentees, but as future colleagues.
Winterim is a five-day entrepreneurship immersion event that culminates in a pitch competition.
Over 60 professionals serve as speakers, mentors and judges for our 30 students during January 11-16, 2026. Alumni, parents and the greater community are invited to join us in person or virtually for the Pitch Competition on Friday, January 1.
When: Jan 16, 2026 1:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Pitch Competition
This is a chance for family, friends and fans to see all the team pitches
Volunteer Thank You
We value and appreciate this outstanding list of leaders who have volunteered their time for the benefit of our students.
Pitch Competition Awards: (Teams may win more than one award, all prizes are team prizes)
First Place: Cash prize of $3,000 AND Legal start-up package* worth $5,000 from Perkins Coie LLP
Second Place: Cash Prize of $2,000
Team With Best Comprehension of Problem to be Solved: Cash Prize: $1,500
Audience Choice Award: Cash Prize: $1,500
Cash prizes donated by Tony Abena ’86, past member of Bates Center Advisory Board and Lewis & Clark’s Board of Trustees.
InventOR Physical Invention/Improvement (Demonstrating social or environmental impact)
First Place Prize:
Invitation to compete in InventOR Oregon
InventOR Bootcamp, May 1-3, 2026, Portland
$2,000 prototyping grant
InventOR Finals - Pitch & Prototype Exhibition, June 25 - 26, 2026, Bend
Opportunity to compete for $30,000 in cash and prizes.
Advisory Board Thank You
The Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership is thankful for these members’ yearly support of the Center at the $10,000 and greater level. The Advisory Board supports the value of liberal arts and entrepreneurship to create leaders in the for-profit and nonprofit workplace.
Winterim counts as a co-curricular requirement if the student is pursuing a minor in Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation.
Priority and Financial Aid Application deadline is usually the second week of November.
Interested in competing through InventOR? The Winterim pitch competition counts as Lewis & Clark’s InventOR competition. Any team that is not part of Winterim needs to contact Catarina Hunter at chunter@lclark.edu before December 15, 2025 in order to compete on January 16.
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Winterim was amazing! It provided me with a platform to connect and build relationships that I will have for the rest of my life. More importantly it opened my eyes and helped me see what I was made of. I was thrown in the fire of brainstorming and problem solving with not much time to work with. I learned that I was able to act as an entrepreneur, think of an idea and help develop the idea with a team. Every day since Winterim I have been thinking about the speakers that I listened to, the advice from mentors, and the skills I have acquired. I can gladly say that my Winterim experience will assist me every day of my future.
Adrian Romero ’19 (Rhetoric and Media Studies)
One of the most important lessons I derived from Winterim was how to prioritize my time most effectively to be adaptive to the kinds of challenges that face an entrepreneur. After Winterim, I feel immensely more prepared than before to enter the professional working world of my major. I was also lucky enough to be given the opportunity to network with a broad spectrum of entrepreneurs from whom I gleaned numerous valuable lessons that helped me to become more equipped to approach obstacles I might face in the near future as an emerging professional.
Ahmed Gedi ’19 (Computer Science)
Upon entering college, I was anxious about lots of things but the most striking was that I would be at the bottom of a system again as a freshman. I constantly looked around for opportunities to prove myself and this opportunity came around with Winterim. Of course, I can’t speak highly enough of how amazing our mentors were and how much I learned in just a week, but there is something in particular that really struck me after finishing the week. I finally proved to my peers and higher-ups that a freshman could do just as well if not better than the juniors and seniors. Winterim unlocked my future and set the stage for the next classes of students that anyone, no matter their age, is able to succeed.
Matthew Telles ’21
During Winterim, I learned the value of market research and collaboration in creating a sound and deliverable business plan. And the importance of remaining flexible, adaptable and able to bounce back quickly as you might encounter dead-ends and information gaps but must find a way to keep your business sustainable.
Christen Comer ’18 (Rhetoric and Media Studies)
Participating in Winterim was an experience unlike anything I had done at Lewis & Clark. It was unique in that I was able to learn leadership and teamwork skills by actually collaborating with my peers toward a collective vision. Also, engaging with real-life entrepreneurs was extremely valuable - not only was I able to make lasting and deep connections, but it gave me direct contact with the entrepreneurial world. I was lucky to have had this experience as an undergraduate.
Rachel Stone ’18 (Psychology and Asian Studies)
As a senior, Winterim was an unexpectedly timely experience for me, as I will soon be entering the workforce. Every day of the program we were immersed in workshops, lectures, mentorships, and networking events in which enhanced our interpersonal skills, networks, and understanding not only of how business works, but how to be professional, financially savvy, and an essential part of any team. It was an intensive and invaluable experience that I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of.
Sage Milestone ’18 (International Affairs)
When I signed up for Winterim, I desired a better understanding of entrepreneurship and what it entails to be an entrepreneur. Looking back today, my expectations were met and more. The ten workshops taught us not only how to be a successful entrepreneur, but also the value of a liberal arts education, how to manage finances, and current social problems to name a few. In the process, we connected with successful and local entrepreneurs – including alumni – and listened to their inspiring stories and suggestions for our product. Furthermore, I have learned and improved a vast amount of skills that I know will be extensively used in my future. Because of Winterim, I am now more confident than ever to face the world after graduation.
Edward Nguyen ’18 (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
The week-long workshop allowed access to skills and opportunities that I would not have gained in a traditional classroom setting, all while connecting me with Lewis and Clark’s impressive alumni network. On a personal level, the lectures were extremely informative and insightful. What I value most about my Winterim experience was the chance to meet the many helpful and inspiring entrepreneurs throughout the week, and afterwards reconnect with a select few individuals whose career path excited me. The amount of resources provided by this program has been both fruitful and eye-opening, indeed.
Yaniv Shier ’18 (Rhetoric and Media Studies)
Winterim taught me how to hone in on an idea and make it into a solid business plan that could be viable to potential investors. The program also showed me that businesses can be a force for social change and inspiration in a world that is often so negative. Through the many mentors we had, I was able to understand the challenges that face every day business people and the constant readjustments you must make to your plans. Overall, I was inspired and felt like I learned more real life skills in a week than a semester at school.
Zachary Lerman ’19 (Economics)
Winterim is a life changing event that any student interested in business or entrepreneurship should pursue.
