{"id":235,"date":"2023-09-13T08:44:54","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T12:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/?page_id=235"},"modified":"2025-11-05T08:21:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T13:21:45","slug":"pitch-competition","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/pitch-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Salvin Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Empowering Queens University Students to Turn Ideas into Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"345\" src=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/Pitch24-1.jpg\" alt=\"Student presenting at Pitch Competition\" class=\"wp-image-2804\" style=\"width:375px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/Pitch24-1.jpg 460w, https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/Pitch24-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Salvin Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition is Queens University\u2019s signature innovation challenge, a platform for students to showcase creative business ideas, receive expert feedback, and compete for up to $5,000 in prize money to launch or scale their ventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Built on a tradition of entrepreneurial spirit and community collaboration, the competition connects students with mentors, judges, and investors who are passionate about helping the next generation of innovators thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h2>\n\n\n  \n<div class=\"article-grid article-grid--default article-grid--default-column \">\n  <div class=\"article-grid__inner grid\">\n          <div class=\"article-grid__item\">\n                                  \n  \n<component\n  is=\"article\"\n  class=\"article article--break-default\"\n>\n      <div class=\"article__image\">\n                  <picture>\n      <source media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Learn.jpg\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"w-full object-cover\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Learn.jpg\"\n        alt=\"Business conference presentation\"\n      \/>\n    <\/picture>\n  \n          <\/div>\n        \n<component is=\"context\" class=\"context context--xsmall context--dark \">\n      <div class=\"context__subheading\">Entrepreneurial Learning<\/div>\n          <p>Throughout January and February, participants join workshops led by experienced entrepreneurs and business faculty. These sessions cover how to build a strong business model, validate customer needs, and craft a compelling pitch.<\/p>\n\n    <\/component><\/component>      <\/div>\n          <div class=\"article-grid__item\">\n                \n  \n<component\n  is=\"article\"\n  class=\"article article--break-default\"\n>\n      <div class=\"article__image\">\n                  <picture>\n      <source media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Pitch.jpg\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"w-full object-cover\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Pitch.jpg\"\n        alt=\"Student presenting her pitch to audience\"\n      \/>\n    <\/picture>\n  \n          <\/div>\n        \n<component is=\"context\" class=\"context context--xsmall context--dark \">\n      <div class=\"context__subheading\">Pitch &#038; Compete<\/div>\n          <p>Teams or individuals present their business ideas before a panel of judges composed of members of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Circle (ELC) and industry experts. Selected finalists will advance to the Live Pitch Event, where they\u2019ll compete for funding and mentorship.<\/p>\n\n    <\/component><\/component>      <\/div>\n          <div class=\"article-grid__item\">\n                \n  \n<component\n  is=\"article\"\n  class=\"article article--break-default\"\n>\n      <div class=\"article__image\">\n                  <picture>\n      <source media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Network.jpg\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"w-full object-cover\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Network.jpg\"\n        alt=\"Student talking with judge\"\n      \/>\n    <\/picture>\n  \n          <\/div>\n        \n<component is=\"context\" class=\"context context--xsmall context--dark \">\n      <div class=\"context__subheading\">Network &#038; Grow<\/div>\n          <p>Beyond competition day, students gain access to a vibrant entrepreneurial network\u2014mentors, alumni founders, investors, and peers\u2014designed to spark collaboration and fuel long-term growth.<\/p>\n\n    <\/component><\/component>      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026 Competition Timeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All workshops will be held in <strong>Sykes 220<\/strong>, <strong>10:40-11:40 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wednesday, January 21<\/strong> <strong>and<\/strong> <strong>Monday, January 26<\/strong> \u2013 Information Session<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Monday, February 2<\/strong> \u2013 Business Plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Monday, February 9<\/strong> \u2013 Feasibility Analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wednesday, February 11<\/strong> \u2013 Pitch Deck Development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wednesday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m.<\/strong> \u2013 Semifinal Round Pitch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Thursday, April 2 at 4:30 p.m.<\/strong> \u2013 Final Live Pitch Competition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re unable to attend, please schedule a 1:1 mentoring session with the Entrepreneurship faculty team via email at <a href=\"mailto:barzunahidalgo@queens.edu\">barzunahidalgo@queens.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Application Guidelines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eligibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open to all Queens University students in good standing (individuals or teams of up to four members).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submissions must represent an original idea or an early-stage startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Past finalists may apply with a new or substantially different idea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Submit your application by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026<\/strong>, to <a href=\"mailto:barzunahidalgo@queens.edu\">barzunahidalgo@queens.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Judging Criteria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Teams will be evaluated on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Innovation &amp; Creativity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Market Potential &amp; Feasibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Execution &amp; Team Capability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Impact &amp; Presentation Quality<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>top teams<\/strong> will advance to the finals, where a distinguished panel of judges will select three winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mentorship &amp; Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the competition, teams receive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Guidance from Queens faculty and local entrepreneurs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opportunities to refine business models through workshops and feedback sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Networking with the Entrepreneurial Leadership Circle, a community of seasoned professionals dedicated to advancing student innovation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;The Salvin Pitch isn\u2019t just about winning \u2014 it\u2019s about building confidence, gaining real-world feedback, and joining a community of doers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Involved<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Have an idea?<\/strong> Register your team today!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Want to mentor or judge?<\/strong> Contact <a href=\"mailto:barzunahidalgo@queens.edu\">barzunahidalgo@queens.edu<\/a> to get involved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Curious to learn more?<\/strong> Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/\" title=\"\">McColl School of Business<\/a> or follow <em>@mccollshcoolofbusiness<\/em> on Instagram.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/5HHQXJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Oscar Barzuna Hidalgo<br>Associate Professor, Entrepreneurship<br><a href=\"mailto:barzunahidalgo@queens.edu\">barzunahidalgo@queens.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Empowering Queens University Students to Turn Ideas into Impact The Salvin Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition is Queens University\u2019s signature innovation challenge, a platform for students to showcase creative business ideas, receive expert feedback, and compete for up to $5,000 in prize money to launch or scale their ventures. Built on a tradition of entrepreneurial spirit and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page_with-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-235","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=235"}],"version-history":[{"count":83,"href":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/235\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4666,"href":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/235\/revisions\/4666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}