2026 Anchor & Accelerate: Purdue’s First-Year Pitch Competition
Case Competition Teams of 1-2 Critical Thinking
Important Dates
Registration Opens
August 3 at 4:00 PM
Registration Ends
September 13 at 11:59 PM
Registration Opens
August 3 at 4:00 PM
Registration Closes
September 13 at 11:59 PM
Competition Starts
September 25 at 8:00 AM
File Submissions Open
September 20 at 12:00 AM
File Submissions Due
September 24 at 11:59 PM
Judging Finished
September 25 at 11:59 PM
Competition Information

*Please note that this competition is open only to first-year undergraduate students of the Daniels School of Business

Take your first Giant Leap as a Purdue student at this Venture Capital-sponsored event. 

Learn how to craft and deliver a compelling elevator pitch that captures the attention of venture capital firms. This is your chance to master the art of pitching, setting the stage for future success. Gain invaluable insight from experts as you receive feedback and guidance from experienced industry leaders.  You will be given a sample start-up company and develop a 3-minute pitch to potential investors.  You do not need to come up with your own product or company.  A sample pitch will be given to you at the workshop.

In addition, connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals. Build a network that can support and propel your entrepreneurial journey forward, creating opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Students will register individually through the Pitch Platform. After registering on Pitch, please take a moment to complete this survey to provide us with more information about your partner and preferred presentation time. Here you can let us know if you have a partner you'd like to work with or if you want us to pair you with someone new. The call-out meeting on September 3rd is a great way to meet a potential teammate!

Important Dates: 

  • September 13: Registration Closes
  • September 15: Case Release
  • September 16: Workshop (mandatory). 6:00 - 7:00 pm in Krannert Auditorium (KRAN 140)
  • September 20 @ 11:59 pm EST: Draft Slides Due
  • September 21, 22, 23: Practice Sessions (optional)
  • September 23 @ 11:59 pm EST: Final Slides Due
  • September 25: Competition Day!

Competition Format:

  • Pitch Presentation: 3 minutes
    • *Slides are optional.  4 slides maximum.   
  • Question Period from Judges: 3 minutes
  • Feedback from Judges: 3 minutes

The First Place Team will be awarded $1,000 per team member! Additional prizes will also be awarded.

*Please note that this competition is open only to first-year undergraduate students of the Daniels School of Business

Take your first Giant Leap as a Purdue student at this Venture Capital-sponsored event. 

Learn how to craft and deliver a compelling elevator pitch that captures the attention of venture capital firms. This is your chance to master the art of pitching, setting the stage for future success. Gain invaluable insight from experts as you receive feedback and guidance from experienced industry leaders.  You will be given a sample start-up company and develop a 3-minute pitch to potential investors.  You do not need to come up with your own product or company.  A sample pitch will be given to you at the workshop.

In addition, connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals. Build a network that can support and propel your entrepreneurial journey forward, creating opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Students will register individually through the Pitch Platform. After registering on Pitch, please take a moment to complete this survey to provide us with more information about your partner and preferred presentation time. Here you can let us know if you have a partner you'd like to work with or if you want us to pair you with someone new. The call-out meeting on September 3rd is a great way to meet a potential teammate!

Important Dates: 

  • September 13: Registration Closes
  • September 15: Case Release
  • September 16: Workshop (mandatory). 6:00 - 7:00 pm in Krannert Auditorium (KRAN 140)
  • September 20 @ 11:59 pm EST: Draft Slides Due
  • September 21, 22, 23: Practice Sessions (optional)
  • September 23 @ 11:59 pm EST: Final Slides Due
  • September 25: Competition Day!

Competition Format:

  • Pitch Presentation: 3 minutes
    • *Slides are optional.  4 slides maximum.   
  • Question Period from Judges: 3 minutes
  • Feedback from Judges: 3 minutes

The First Place Team will be awarded $1,000 per team member! Additional prizes will also be awarded.

Resources
Important Dates
Registration Opens
August 3 at 4:00 PM
Registration Ends
September 13 at 11:59 PM
Registration Opens
August 3 at 4:00 PM
Registration Closes
September 13 at 11:59 PM
Competition Starts
September 25 at 8:00 AM
File Submissions Open
September 20 at 12:00 AM
File Submissions Due
September 24 at 11:59 PM
Judging Finished
September 25 at 11:59 PM
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