Make-A-Pitch Competition

Ready, set, pitch

The Make-A-Pitch Competition is a 2-minute pitch competition hosted by the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship in the fall semester. CMU students from ALL MAJORS are welcome to participate.

Present an idea in 2-minutes to a small panel of judges for feedback, prizes, and bragging rights. Students can work individually, or in teams and while you can have a prop, there are no slides for this brief pitch.

Two competition categories

Students can choose between two competition categories. They can pitch a traditional business elevator pitch for a chance to win up to $1200 or they can compete in the all new Passion Project category.

2-minute elevator pitch category

Student competitors can use a one-pager, prop, product, or prototype but there are no slides permitted for this brief pitch.

Elevator pitches guidelines:

A clear problem statement
A solution and value proposition
Market opportunity
Competitive advantage
Engaging delivery

ELEVATOR PITCH COMPETITION REGISTRATION

Passion project category

Students can present an idea within 2 minutes with 3 minutes for judge questions and answers. The Passion Project category is centered around the theme: Community Impact

Through your presentation delivery you must answer the question: How does your idea impact your community?

Passion Project guidelines:

Size and scale of impact
Creative problem solving
Inter-disciplinary solutions
Engaging delivery

PASSION PROJECT CATEGORY REGISTRATION

How to enter

Interested in participating in Make-A-Pitch? The sign-up opens September 3 and closes November 15.

Event details

The Make-A-Pitch Competition will be hosted in the Park Library, Thursday, November 21 from 4:30 - 8:30 pm.

Agenda

4:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Participant check-in | Copeland Suite

5:15 - 6:45 p.m. - First Round Pitches, Networking and Hors d'oeuvres | Copeland Suite & Fourth Floor Study Rooms & Opperman Auditorium

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Final Round Pitches | Opperman Auditorium

7:30 - 8:00 p.m. - Judges Deliberate and Audience Choice Voting | Strosacker Room & Opperman Auditorium

8:00 - 8:30 p.m. - Awards | Opperman Auditorium

A student standing on a stage in front of a panel of judges with a countdown clock behind her.

Six students standing on stage smiling and holding their prizes for winning the Make-A-Pitch competition.

A student standing in the front of a classroom pitching her idea to a row of judges in front of her

Six judges sitting at a long table with one judge speaking into a microphone during the 2023 Make-A-Pitch competition.

The winning team of the 2023 Make-A-Pitch competition in a group photo with judges and mentors

This year's prizes

First place: $1,200
Second place: $800
Third place: $500
Passion Project Category Award: $500
Online Student Award: $300
The Rising Star Award: $300
Judges Pick: $300
Audience Choice: $200

Judged Awards

First place, second place, third place, passion project, rising star, and judges pick awards are chosen by our panel of judges.

Audience Choice Award

Vote for your favorite pitch! The pitch that receives the most amount of audience votes will win $300.