4impact Challenge
For more than a decade, the 4impact Challenge, formerly known as the Madden Challenge, has been a cornerstone of the Daniels College of Business experience. As the culminating experience of the BUS 1440 course, the challenge empowers students to tackle real-world problems through creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Each quarter, student teams pitch their ventures to a panel of industry judges, competing for recognition, feedback, and the chance to make a lasting impact. The challenge pushes students to think critically, act boldly, and embrace innovation as a tool for change.
Now aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and DU’s 4D student experience, the 4impact Challenge continues to evolve while staying true to its core: preparing students to lead with purpose, vision, and impact.
Watch the 4impact Challenge Fall 2025
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
The 4impact Challenge is part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution course, an introductory class required for business majors that builds foundational knowledge in business and entrepreneurship.
The course introduces students to current technologies and requires them to use innovation and creativity to create a comprehensive business plan and a go-to-market strategy. Many students have the opportunity to convert their ideas into actual prototypes using artificial intelligence, 3D printing, blockchain, crypto currency and more.
For years this course has been among the most popular classes at the University of Denver.
Course Topics
Students soak in traditional business content like how to connect with a customer, raise money and protect their ideas. They don’t just learn in abstract, though: all students have to use practical applications to develop their business strategy, all while learning about business ethics, financial and global business and the triple bottom line.
The curriculum jumps through the latest and most disruptive new technology out there: artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, 3D printing, extended reality, autonomous vehicles and the Internet of Things (IoT). Students walk away with hands-on experience using these emerging technologies and the knowledge to prepare them for a successful career.