PitchIt
90 seconds could be worth up to $1,000!
PitchIt is the University of Victoria’s pitch competition. You get 90 seconds (the length of a typical elevator ride) to describe your concept to a panel of experts.
The competition is online using Zoom. You do not need to download Zoom to participate. We will send presenters a Zoom link and instructions. If you're interested in watching the competition, please contact us.
Upcoming dates
Who can PitchIt
You may participate as an individual or in a team of up to 5 people. The individual or team lead must be a current UVic student, faculty, staff or alumnus. The other team members do not need to be affiliated with UVic.
Teams can have just their team lead deliver the pitch, or up to all 5 members can join in the presentation. All participants must have a Social Insurance Number to compete.
Entered PitchIt or PlanIt with this idea and won a prize in the past? Feel free to pitch again, but the pitch needs to be significantly improved this time.
Preparing your pitch
Each participant/team will be given 90 seconds to pitch to a panel of judges. Your presentation may be followed up with 2 minutes of questions and answers.
How to prepare a fast pitch for investors
- Quickly and clearly sharing your idea is key to raising funds.
- Your potential investor will likely judge you quickly. They’ll base their opinion on your first spoken sentences or the opening lines of your executive summary. You must simplify and clarify what you are trying to communicate.
- First moments matter most. The goal of the "fast pitch" is to spark investor interest. You want them to give you their business cards and agree to meet later. If not, aim for a referral to someone else who might be interested in your deal.
- Investors know that the way you will engage your initial customer base is through a fast pitch. They know that top entrepreneurs can sum up their venture's value in one or two sentences.
- Be sure to include a call to action and a clear ask.
- It is important to cite references, stats or information to add credibility to your deal.
Questions your pitch should answer
- What is your product or service (concept)?
- What are your benefits?
- Who is your market? What is your market demand? How large is the market?
- What is your revenue model? How do you expect to make money?
- What is your market strategy?
- Who is your competition? Don't have any? Think again.
- What is your competitive advantage? What makes your concept unique? Why do you have an edge over the competition?
- Who are your key partners?
- Is your technology proprietary?
Adapted from "The Art of the Elevator Pitch" by Robert Pagliarini.
Judging
What are the judges looking for?
- Degree of innovation/newness: How much does this concept differ from what's already available?
- Overt benefit/product-market match: How clear is the benefit in meeting the needs or solving the problems of a specific target market?
- Feasibility/reason to believe: To what extent is the concept believable? For example, substance, supporting research, a link to "self," etc.
- Market potential/social impact: How much does the concept create economic or social value? What is its potential for impact?
- Overall presentation: To what extent was the pitch clear, engaging and convincing?