Elevator Pitch Competition 2026

Join us for the Elevator Pitch Competition at the Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo! Join us to see who wins $1,000 in 90 seconds! The Elevator Pitch Competition is Cal Poly’s annual fast-paced showcase of student innovation, hosted by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) – this year with a Halloween twist! In just 90 seconds, student finalists pitch their startup, product, or service ideas to a live audience and panel of judges for a chance to win $1,000. No slides, no props, just big ideas, bold delivery and some spooky competition. This year’s competition brings together students from every Cal Poly college for a campus-wide celebration of innovation with a spooky Halloween twist. Finalists will represent each college, with a few mystery wildcard entries in the mix. It’s anyone’s game, and your vote helps decide the $500 Audience Choice winner. Come cheer on your college, dress up for the occasion, participate in a costume contest and watch the next generation of entrepreneurs take the stage for a night of frighteningly good ideas and Halloween fun! Interested in applying for the competition? We're accepting applicants until Oct. 9. Click here if you're interested.