Do you have a wild idea? Do you want to win $1000 for it? To compete, you only need to create a 90 second pitch. No business plan, no slides, no entry fee, just an idea for a product or service.       

Imagine entering an elevator with a potential partner or investor, with only 20 floors to spark interest. The 16th Annual Elevator Pitch Competition is designed to simulate this interaction by giving Cal Poly students a chance to pitch their ideas in 90 seconds or less.      

Students with product ideas, awesome innovations, a genuine start-up, or just a desire to practice their presentation skills are encouraged to enter. This year, we're structuring the competition to have finalists from each college at Cal Poly. Enter here for a chance to represent your college in the finals!    

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 (002, 206)  

Info Session #2: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 | 6 p.m. | The Hatchery (002, 206) 

To enter, you will need to fill out this application, and include a link to a YouTube video of your Elevator Pitch (90 seconds or less). Applications are due by by Friday, Friday, October 9 at 11:59 p.m. 

• There is no fee for entry.
• Entrants will have up to 90 seconds to present their idea.
• No audio, visual aids, slides, props, notes or handouts allowed.
• The entire pitch must be given by one person only.
• Submissions may be entered by teams or individuals.
• Each team or individual may enter up to three ideas.
• Each team must have at least 50% full-time students; if you are submitting as an individual, you must be a currently registered student.
• Entries must be the original work of entrants.
• Communication will be through Cal Poly e-mail address and it is the responsibility of the participants to check for correspondence.
• Ideas that have won prize money in a prior year are not eligible to participate unless significantly re-tooled. This will be a decision of the CIE team.
• Depending on the number of applications, there may be an optional semi-finalist round where you would pitch your idea in-person. This optional round would on Friday October 31st.
• If chosen as a finalist, you'll present on stage with other finalists at the Elevator Pitch Competition on Wednesday, Oct 28th from 4:30-6pm. Failure to show up will result in the forfeiture of any prize won.
• Must be a currently registered student.