Pitch Competition
Fall 2026 Pitch Competition: November 12 at 3:00 PM
Present your innovative business idea to a panel of business professionals and compete for prizes and recognition. Whether your idea is a startup, nonprofit, social enterprise, or new product, this competition provides valuable feedback and an opportunity to showcase your creativity.
Pitch Competition: How to Prepare your Pitch!
- Tuesday and Thursday in October @ 2:00 PM
- Wednesday, October 28th @ 5:30 pm
To register: Register for Fall 2026 Competition
What is a Pitch?
A pitch is a short, persuasive presentation designed to explain an idea and convince others that it has value.
A strong pitch clearly identifies a problem or opportunity, explains the proposed solution, identifies who will benefit, and demonstrates why the idea matters. The goal is not simply to describe an idea—it is to make others understand its potential.
For this competition, participants will present their idea to a panel of judges and explain why it deserves attention, support, or further development.
You do not need to have an existing business, a finished product, or extensive entrepreneurial experience to participate. You need a thoughtful idea, a clear explanation of its value, and a compelling presentation.
Competition Categories
Participants may enter in one of two categories:
Business Idea
The Business Idea category is designed for ideas that have the potential to become a viable business, product, or service.
Your pitch should address questions such as:
- What problem or unmet need are you addressing?
- What product or service are you proposing?
- Who is the customer?
- Why would someone choose your solution?
- How could the idea generate revenue?
- What makes the idea feasible or distinctive?
Ideas may involve a new business, product, service, technology, process, or improvement to an existing market.
Societal Impact
The Societal Impact category is designed for ideas that address a meaningful social, community, environmental, educational, or economic challenge.
Your pitch should address questions such as:
- What problem are you trying to solve?
- Who is affected by the problem?
- What solution are you proposing?
- How would the idea create positive impact?
- How could the solution be implemented or sustained?
- How would you know whether the idea was successful?
Societal Impact ideas may include nonprofit concepts, social enterprises, community initiatives, educational innovations, sustainability projects, or other solutions intended to create measurable public benefit.
Competition Rules
The Pitch Competition will be held on November 12 and is open to eligible participants who wish to present an original business or societal-impact idea.
Each participant must select one competition category: Business Idea or Societal Impact.
Pitches should:
- Clearly identify a problem, need, or opportunity.
- Present a specific and understandable solution.
- Explain who will benefit from the idea.
- Describe the value or impact the idea could create.
- Demonstrate that the idea has been thoughtfully developed.
- Be presented within the designated competition time limit.
- Use visual aids only as permitted by the competition guidelines.
- Represent the original work of the participant or team.
Participants may compete individually or as part of a team.
Judges will evaluate pitches based on the quality of the idea, clarity of the presentation, understanding of the problem or opportunity, feasibility of the proposed solution, and overall potential for business or societal impact.
What Makes a Strong Pitch?
The best pitches are clear, focused, and memorable.
Judges should be able to answer four questions after hearing your presentation:
- What is the problem?
- What is your solution?
- Why does it matter?
- Why should we believe your idea can work?
You do not need to have every detail figured out. The purpose of the competition is to develop ideas, practice entrepreneurial thinking, and learn how to communicate an opportunity effectively.
Have an Idea?
Start developing your pitch today!
Whether your idea could become the next successful business or help solve an important challenge in our communities, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pitch Competition is your opportunity to turn an idea into action.