MQ Pitch Competition

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  2. Partner
  3. Access business opportunities
  4. Innovation, entrepreneurship, and IT
  5. MQ Incubator
  6. Programs and services
  7. Student Programs
  8. MQU Pitch Program
  9. MQ Pitch Competition

Student Pitch Competition 2024

We are excited to announce that entries for the Student Pitch Competition 2024 are officially open.

See the pitch finalists and cast your vote here

Entry requirements

  • Open to all current Macquarie University students
  • More than one person can participate in the same pitch
  • Entries are limited to one pitch per student, and two pitches per student group.

Pitch format

  • No longer than three minutes
  • All pitches must be filmed, uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and sent to incubator@mq.edu.au by the submission deadline. Please include:
    • which category you'll be competing in
    • your name
    • your startup or product name
    • the YouTube or Vimeo URL (make sure its public or unlisted, not private).
  • Ensure that you're not revealing any IP (Intellectual Property) – if in doubt, seek independent advice or participate in the Pitch Program where we cover this topic
  • Pitches that contain any information that is deemed offensive, degrading or against Macquarie University policy will not be accepted into the competition.

Pitch categories and prizes

  • The top eight pitches for each category will be published online for voting purposes
  • Community voting will be undertaken through iLearn
  • All participants that have their pitches selected for the voting round will receive a participation certificate.
Idea with most potential
  • Winner: $500
  • Runner up: $300
Audience choice
  • Winner: $500
Idea with most potential
  • Winner: $500
  • Runner up: $300
Audience choice
  • Winner: $500
  • Winner: $400
  • Runner up: $200

Judging criteria

A showcase of ideas which seek to solve a problem and generate revenue for founders and shareholders.

Idea with most potential – decided by an expert judging panel

  • Commercial feasibility – identified a large market and critical issue worth solving
  • Level of impact – clearly understands and articulate the impact of their solution will deliver and how
  • Content – the quality of information delivered in the pitch
  • Best pitch – quality of delivery, structure of pitch and technique.

Audience choice – decided by your votes

  • Number of peer votes secured – this is a popularity test, plain and simple.

A showcase of ideas which seek to address a pressing social challenge.

Idea with most potential – decided by an expert judging panel

  • Feasibility – identified a large market and critical issue worth solving
  • Level of impact – clearly understands and articulate the impact of their solution will deliver and how
  • Content – the quality of information delivered in the pitch
  • Best pitch – quality of delivery, structure of pitch and technique.

Audience choice – decided by your votes

  • Number of peer votes secured – this is a popularity test, plain and simple.

A showcase of terrible and funny ideas. Let the finalists tell you about the worst/funny ideas in the best possible way.

Audience choice – decided by your votes

  • Number of peer votes secured
  • Shows imagination and an engaging ‘outside the box’ thinking that showcases a unique perspective
  • Help us decide the winners, vote for the pitches that are the most creative, original and with the best delivery.
  • Pitch submissions: submit by midnight Friday 15 November 2024
  • Audience choice voting: voting closes midnight Tuesday 19 November 2024
  • Pitch awards event: afternoon of Thursday 21 November 2024