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Elevator Pitch Competition

The Elevator Pitch Competition (EPC) is an annual event held during Fall Quarter, where Cal Poly students from all majors have 90 seconds to pitch an innovative product, service or startup idea for a chance to win cash prizes! It’s quick. It’s bold. And this year, it’s bigger than ever.

Submit your first-round video pitch for a shot at the $1,000 top prize or the $500 audience choice award! Finalists will pitch live in front of an audience and a panel of judges.

For the first time ever, we’re structuring the competition to have finalists from each college at Cal Poly to compete head-to-head for cash prizes and campus bragging rights. Whether you’re an artist with a vision, an engineer with a prototype, or someone who just had a wild idea in the shower, this is your chance to shine.

Want to Pitch?

Ready to represent your college on stage? To apply, all you need is a 90-second YouTube video and a bold idea for a product or service. No business plan. No pitch deck. No entry fee.

Questions? Come to our info sessions below. We will have FREE PIZZA at both sessions.
Info session #1: Thursday, Oct. 2 | 6:10 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
The Nash Family Entrepreneurship Lab (02, 210)

Info session #2: Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 11:10 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
The CIE Hatchery (02, 206)

Video applications for the 2025 Elevator Pitch Competition are due Friday, October 24 by 11:59 p.m.

Click here to apply!


Want to Attend?

The 2025 Elevator Pitch Competition event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Join us for one of the most exciting nights of the year. Watch students from across Cal Poly go head-to-head in a live pitch battle. The audience plays a role in deciding who wins—your vote matters!

Final Pitch Event: Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo (Pavillion Room)
What to Expect: Fast pitches, bold ideas, crowd energy, and big prizes

Click here to attend!


Curious about what elevator pitches are like? Watch the playlist of previous participants below:

For additional information or questions about the competition please contact the Hatchery staff at hatchery@calpoly.edu

Learn more about the Elevator Pitch Competition from a previous contestant, Haley Pavone: