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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 second year in a row, 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.
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.
Join us for our info sessions to ask questions and to learn more about the competition.
Info Session #1: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 | 11 a.m. | The Hatchery (02, 206)
Info Session #2: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 | 6 p.m. | The Hatchery (02, 206)
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: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 | 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo (Pavillion Room)
What to Expect: Fast pitches, bold ideas, Halloween costumes, crowd energy, and big prizes
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:
The center prepares students to become emerging leaders and career ready entrepreneurs who generate innovative solutions to real-world problems, research promising technologies and develop sustainable businesses.
