�49-MINUTE PITCH COMPETITION PITCH LOGISTICS �

ROUND ONE

GENERAL LOGISTICS

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SUBMITTING ROUND ONE

1. Due Date: March 26, 2026 BEFORE 11:59 PM

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• All pitches must be submitted to Devpost- Please follow the complete instructions to ensure your pitch is uploaded correctly
1. Also add your recorded pitch deck to the Google Drive under the category in where you are submitting your pitch

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DESIGNING YOUR PITCH

1. All pitches must must be designed in Google Slides.
1. This will ensure that during the live pitch competition that transitions are smooth
2. Round One: Your pitch may not be longer than 3:00 Minutes
3. Format: MP4 Format
4. Zoom, Other Video Editor

Camera on

Slides Mandatory

No AI Voice recordings

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Please ensure that any videos or animated graphics included in your slide deck are fully embedded within the slides so they play directly, without requiring an external link or additional click.

SCORING LOGIC

SCORING LOGIC

• Identification of Problem and Opportunity [15 POINTS]

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• Clarity: Is the problem clearly defined and well-understood?
• Consider: Is there data or research evidence to support their existence and importance of the problem? Has the student done a little bit of work on the problem identification?

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SCORING LOGIC

• Customer and Market Understanding [15 POINTS]

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• Target Audience: Did they identify a potential customer segment? Initial Target Market?
• Consider: Does the pitch demonstrate an understanding of the target customers' needs and pain points? Is there some evidence or research supporting the identified customer segment? Or a path to get that info?

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SCORING LOGIC

• Solution and Innovation [20 POINTS]

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• Innovation: Does the proposed solution address the stated problem in a unique manner.
• Consider: Feasibility-does the solution have the ability to become operational? Does the solution effectively solve the problem? Is there a realistic plan to generate revenue or additional revenue?

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SCORING LOGIC

• Progress and Validation [15 POINTS]

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Progression: Have the founder tested their innovation?

Consider: Have the founder completed any customer discovery interviews, prototypes, testing. Are the milestones realistic and attainable within the stated time frame?

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SCORING LOGIC

• Idea Validity and Execution Plan [10 POINTS]

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Sustainability: Does the idea have the potential to be sustainable long term?

Consider: Are next steps clear and achievable?

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SCORING LOGIC

• Pitch Delivery [10 POINTS]

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Consider: Clarity, Confidence, Storytelling, Acceptance of feedback, Clearly able to answer questions and Timing

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POLISHING YOUR PITCH

INTRODUCTION

• Concise background of you are!
• Your Name
• Idea Name
• Year and Major
• Concise explanation as to why you are passionate about this idea
• Spend no more than 30 seconds here

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Pro Tip: Connect your interest, motivations to your “why” for this idea.

IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM AND OPPORTUNITY

• Clearly state your problem
• Consider:
• What gap are aiming to close?
• Who are you solving this problem for?
• Who will buy/use your problem?
• Who could be a potential partner?
• What does the market look like concerning this problem?

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Pro Tip: Include powerful imagery to show your problem in an impactful meaningful way.

Example 1

Example 2

SOLUTION & INNOVATION

• Clearly describe your company!
• Consider
• The service you provide
• The features or capabilities
• The value [gap] your company seek to bring to its customers & partners

Pro Tip: You can use powerful graphics here as well

SOLUTION & INNOVATION

CONT.

• Consider
• What makes your company innovative
• How your company is different from what is already current in the marketplace
• Use a creative way to show how your company solution work
• What are the current market trends

Pro Tip: You can use powerful graphics here as well

PROCESS AND VALIDATION

• What have you done thus far concerning your company?
• Consider
• Your work in 49er Foundry
• Customer Discovery Interviews
• Anything that you think was an important step

Idea Validity and Execution Plan

• What next steps will you be taken to ensure sustainability.
• Consider
• What you will do with the money if you won
• A clear timeline
• Additional startup incubators
• Hiring additional staff

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ADD YOUR CLOSING

Thanks and lead to questions and feedback

Feel free to add your team information here as well

Additional Helpful Hints

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• Practice! But do not record over and over again small mistakes are ok! Be human!
• Slides- Graphics/ Text- less is always better but incorporate powerful images
• Stay away from jargon and going into a deep dive of the technical aspects of your company

COMMON PITCH DECK MISTAKES TO AVOID

• Including Too Many Ideas Per Slide
• Stick to one clear message
• Using industry jargon over clarity
• Clear and concise beats complexity
• Information Overload
• Don’t drown your message
• Pointless Slides
• Ensure every slide has an intent
• Weak Visual Structure
• Don’t skip around and don’t be forgettable

ROUND ONE

LOGISTICS REVIEW

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Due Date: March 26, 2026 BEFORE 11:59 PM

Submitted to Devpost

Followed the provided instructions

Added to Google Drive

Not over 3:00 Minutes

Format: MP4 Format

Zoom, Other Video Editor

Camera on

Slides Mandatory

No AI Voice recordings

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Round Two

Brief Overview

49- MINUTE PITCH COMPETITION

Date: April 15, 2026

Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Founder arrival time: 3:30 PM for practice

Location: CO-LAB Grand Hall

MANDATORY FOR ALL 49ER FOUNDRY MEMBERS

Finalists Announced: April 1st

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LIVE PITCHES WILL BE FIVE MINUTES FOR PITCH TWO MINUTES FOR QUESTION AND ANSWER

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Road to Austin

DATES: MAY 12-14

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• You MUST complete the entire program to be eligible to participate. This includes fulfilling the coworking hours, attending all workshops, completing the Business Shower and business portfolio, and attending the pitch competition.

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• Attendance on the Innovation Tour to Austin, TX is NOT mandatory, but once you commit to attending, we are asking that you PLEASE attend.