Grab your lunch and enjoy one of the most exciting events of the day—the BELL Pitch Competition! Watch as up-and-coming entrepreneurs pitch their boldest ideas for a chance to win $2,500. A panel of judges will offer live feedback and select the winner. Whether you're pitching or spectating, you'll walk away with inspiration and insight.
BELL Summit Pitch Competition: Rules & GuidelinesEvent Date & Time:
📅 Friday, June 27th
⏰ 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍UC San Diego Park & Market
Competition OverviewFinalists will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas live in front of a panel of expert judges and an engaged audience of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and government officials.
Eligibility Requirements- Must be a business owner or founder.
- Must complete the official Pitch Competition Sign-Up Form by the deadline.
- Finalists will be selected and notified by email prior to the event.
Pitch Format- Each finalist will have 3 minutes to present their pitch.
- Immediately following the pitch, judges will engage in a 2-minute rapid-fire Q&A session.
Judging CriteriaPitches will be evaluated based on the following four categories:participants will be evaluated based on the following categories:- Presentation – Clarity, confidence, and engagement of the speaker.
- Brand Identification – Clear articulation of brand identity and value proposition.
- Product/Service – Quality, usefulness, and differentiation of offering.
- Business Plan – Strength of planning, including operations, marketing, and team.
- Scalability & Growth – Realistic pathways to growth and expansion.
- Uniqueness – Originality and innovation of the idea or model.
- Sustainability & Impact – Consideration for environmental, social, or community impact.
- Financial Results – Demonstrated traction, revenue, or financial planning.
- Contractor Readiness – Is the business positioned to secure government or corporate contracts?
Prizes🏆 1st Place:- $2,000 Cash Prize
- In-kind Business Support (marketing packages, website services, mentorship)
🥈 2nd Place:
- $500 Cash Prize
- In-kind Business Support (marketing packages, website services, mentorship)
Additional Guidelines- Participants must arrive at least 30 minutes early for check-in.
- Respect time limits—points may be deducted for exceeding the pitch or Q&A time.
- All business ideas must be original and owned by the participant.
- Judges' decisions are final.
- Pitch application requires submission of a pitch deck PDF.
- Last Day to Apply is Saturday June 21st at 11:59PM
For questions or additional information, please contact the event organizer.🔗 Sign up here: Pitch Competition Sign-Up Form
