Personal & Product Branding Pitch Competition
A. Call for Student Submissions
Innovation doesn’t start with funding; it starts with clarity.
The Personal / Product Branding Pitch Competition invites student entrepreneurs, creators, and early-stage founders to clearly articulate who they are, what they are building, and why it matters.
Hosted by the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) in collaboration with WriteConnections, sponsored by IU Innovates, aligns with IU Innovates’ statewide mission to support founders early, build entrepreneurial confidence, and strengthen innovation pathways across Indiana University campuses.
This is an opportunity to practice one of the most essential founder skills: explaining your idea with confidence, clarity, and purpose, within the first three minutes of engagement.
Key Dates
- Submissions Open: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
- Submissions Close: Friday, April 24, 2026
- Live Pitch Competition: Top 5 finalists pitch on stage
- Thursday, April 30th, 2026 (2:00 – 4:00 PM)
Prizes
🥇 1st Place: $500 toward brand development
🥈 2nd Place: $250
🥉 3rd Place: $100
🏅 4th & 5th Place: Resources, mentorship opportunities, and recognition
👉 Submit your pitch and take the next step in your innovation journey: https://go.iu.edu/iC1PdV
Who Should Apply?
This competition is open to IU South Bend students who are:
- Building a startup or early-stage venture
- Developing a personal or professional brand
- Exploring a business idea, side hustle, or creative project
- Interested in strengthening their pitch and communication skills
You do not need a registered business, revenue, or prior pitch experience to apply.
What to Submit (Round 1)
Submit one of the following:
- A 3-minute pitch video, or
- A written pitch (maximum 500 words)
Your submission should address:
- Who you are (or what your product/brand is)
- The problem or opportunity you are addressing
- Who your audience or customer is
- What differentiates your brand
- Why this work matters to you and to others
B. How Submissions Are Reviewed
Submissions are evaluated using an IU Innovates–aligned framework that emphasizes clarity, founder readiness, and market awareness.
Judges will look for:
- Clear articulation of the idea (early clarity matters)
- Problem-solution alignment
- Authentic founder or brand story
- Understanding of audience and market context
- Structured, confident communication
- Thoughtful brand presentation
- Overall impact and memorability
The Top 5 submissions will be invited to the live pitch competition.
Live Pitch Competition (Finalists)
- 5-minute on-stage pitch in front of judges and an audience
- Focus on communicating value, clarity, and vision
- Top 3 finalists receive cash prizes
Why Participate?
Participants will:
- Build confidence in communicating their ideas
- Gain feedback from experienced innovation and entrepreneurship leaders
- Strengthen skills aligned with IU Innovates’ founder development pathway
- Access funding and resources to move their ideas forward
This competition is not about being pitch-perfect; it’s about being founder-ready.
If you can clearly explain your idea, you can unlock opportunities.
👉 Submit your pitch and take the next step in your innovation journey: https://go.iu.edu/iC1PdV
