Elevator Pitch (In an Elevator)

Sponsored by Richardson, The Entrepreneurial Mindset is proud to announce an upcoming elevator pitch competition (In an Elevator).

The Entrepreneurial Mindset is accepting interest from University of Manitoba students who would like to participate in TEM’s Elevator Pitch Competition (In an Elevator). Please enter in your info in the form below. Keep in mind, interest will not guarantee your spot in the competition, but will get you first access when applications open.

Two Round Pitch Details:

Round One: 1-minute elevator pitch of your business idea delivered by one team member. (in an elevator)
Round Two (Finals): The same 1-minute pitch followed by Q&A to determine placement. All team members may pitch and/or answer questions.

See competition structure, rules, and application info at the bottom of the page.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset created this competition to give students a practical and
engaging way to learn how to pitch their ideas. The goal is to build confidence, sharpen
communication skills, and highlight students who are taking real steps toward their ideas.
The format keeps the experience fast-paced and realistic, similar to the quick decisions and
limited time windows entrepreneurs face when speaking with investors, mentors, or potential
partners. This event aims to encourage students who are taking action on their ideas and to
support them as they develop their ability to express business ideas!

Competition Structure and Rules:

Any questions are welcome. Please email us at temexec@gmail.com.

Applications:

Answer three key questions:
1. Your business idea or company (50-150 words):
2. Why is your team uniquely positioned to build this business?
3. Who is your target customer?

All applications also require a short impromptu video pitch so that your idea and presentation can be evaluated if there are not enough pitching slots for all applications.

We do not expect or require a professional video; a simple cellphone video will work well.

Criteria for video:

1. The presenter must be visible.
2. No editing needed.
3. Pitch will be evaluated on Clarity of the Problem & Solution, Delivery, and Idea Potential.
4. 60 seconds maximum (videos will be cut off at the 60-second mark)

Overall structure:

• 2 total rounds – Round One & Round Two (Finals)
• Three tracks of 5 teams
• Each Round One track has two unique judges
• Round One selects one finalist from each track
• Round Two determines first, second, and third place.
• Round Two has three total judges

Round One format:

1. Three tracks, each containing five individual pitchers
2. Tracks run one after the other, not simultaneously
3. Flow continues in repeating order: Track One, then Track Two, then Track Three, then back to Track One, etc.
4. Pitches take place in the elevator, travelling to the main floor and back up.
5. Each pitch is the length of the elevator ride, approximately 60 seconds
6. No question period in this stage
7. Only one person from each team pitches. (only one person in the elevator with judges)
8. Each track has two judges assigned exclusively to that track
9. Judges differ between tracks to keep scoring independent
10. Judges select one finalist from their track based on clarity, delivery, idea strength, and overall effectiveness

Round Two format:

1. Three finalists total, one from each track
2. Not in the elevator, in the conference room in front of all attendees.
3. 60-second pitch for each finalist
4. Only one person from each team pitches.
5. All team members are there for the pitch and are encouraged to answer questions.
6. 2-minute question period with the full judging panel following each pitch
7. Judges deliberate after all finalists finish
8. Judges determine first, second, and third place
9. Winners are announced publicly as part of the event program

Judging Criteria for both rounds:

Pitches will be evaluated based on the following rubric, with a maximum score of 30 points:

1. Clarity of the Problem & Solution (10 points)
   Have the problem and solution been clearly stated?
2. Delivery (10 points)
   Was the pitch professional, easy to follow and engaging?
3. Idea Potential (10 points)
   Would a reasonable investor, partner, or mentor be interested in hearing more about the idea?

Structure Example:

Track 1	Track 2	Track 3
Team 1, Track 1	Team 6, Track 2	Team 11, Track 3
Team 2, Track 1	Team 7, Track 2	Team 12, Track 3
Team 3, Track 1	Team 8, Track 2	Team 13, Track 3
Team 4, Track 1	Team 9, Track 2	Team 14, Track 3
Team 5, Track 1	Team 10, Track 2	Team 15, Track 3

Example order: Team 1, Team 6, Team 11, Team 2, Team 7, Team 12, etc…

↓ 

1 team from each track advances to Round Two (Finals)

Round Two – Finals
Team from Track 1:	Advancing team name/number.
Team from Track 2:	Advancing team name/number.
Team from Track 3:	Advancing team name/number.