If you would like the possibility to earn money to help turn your innovative idea for a product, service of technology into a reality, then the Rainforest Pitch Competition could be your avenue.

Students with product ideas, crazy innovations, a genuine startup, or just a desire to practice their presentation skills are encouraged to enter.  The competition is open to university students in the state of New Mexico.

The Top 5 teams will split the Rainforest Student Pitch Competition Fund. Additionally two students will be selected to attend the European Innovation Academy in July 2017 in Turin, Italy. 

To be eligible to compete, you must submit an Intent to Pitch Application. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 10. The next pitch competition is Monday, April 24. The contest is sponsored by STC.UNM and The University of New Mexico’s Innovation Academy.

There will be two rounds in the competition. The submission criteria for first round includes recording a 90-second video of a student or team of students delivering an elevator pitch for your business/idea. Videos should capture student(s) delivering the pitch to the camera. The pitch should be delivered in a single take. Videos should not be edited together or produced with visuals or effects.

This doesn’t mean it needs to be filmed on the first take, but there should be no post-production done to the pitch (i.e. don’t edit two halves of different takes together). Avoid reading from scripts or cue cards. Please be sure to record the video in a reasonably quiet environment to make it easier for the judges to hear and understand. Avoid recording outdoors or in loud hallways.

A panel of judges will view the video submissions and determine the finalists that will move on to the final round. Judges will also select two students to attend the European Innovation Academy.

During the final round, contestants will present a 90-second “live” pitch in front of business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and others in the community. The event takes place Monday, April 24 at Bow and Arrow Brewing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Winners will be determined by audience voting.

For more information, visit iA/Rainforest Student Pitch Competition or email, cmichaliszyn@stc.unm.edu.

STC.UNM, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with an independent board of directors, fosters a Rainforest in the Desert, nurturing innovation and economic development for the UNM community.

UNM is incubating a new program that is an innovation in learning theory itself. Called the Innovation Academy (iA), it’s a mindset, it’s for everyone, and it’s a new, nontraditional curriculum. For more information, visit the Innovation Academy.