Student Pitch Competition 2021

The MQ Incubator’s Student Pitch Competition is back, and bigger than ever, in 2021! With $20,000 worth of prize money up for grabs, there’s no better time to muster up the courage to participate!

Update: thank for submitting your pitches, submissions are now CLOSED. Voting starts this week!

Entry requirements

  • open to all current Macquarie University students
  • more than one person can participate in the pitch
  • entries are limited to one pitch per student, and two pitches per student group.

Pitch Categories

Category 1 - Pitches For profit: A showcase of ideas which seek to solve a problem and generate revenue for founders and shareholders.

Category 2 - Pitches for Impact: A showcase of ideas which seek to address a pressing social challenge

Category 3 - Best Worst Idea: A showcase of terrible and funny ideas. Let the finalists tell you about the worst/funny ideas in the best possible way!

  • The top eight pitches for each category will be published online for voting purposes.
  • Community voting will be undertaken online.
  • All participants that have their pitches selected for the voting round will receive a participation certificate.

Pitch Format

  • Strictly 3 minutes in length
  • All pitches must be filmed and supplied to the Incubator by the submission close date.
  • Ensure that you're not revealing any IP (intellectual property) — if in doubt, seek independent advice or participate in the Pitch Program where we cover this topic.
  • Pitches that contain any information that is deemed offensive, degrading or against Macquarie University policy will not be accepted into the competition.

Pitch Program 3D printed trophys, consisting of a poop emoji, microphone and piggy bank

Category 1 – Pitches for Profit

  • Most Appealing Idea (expert panel decision) - Winner $3,500, Runner-up $2,000
  • Best Pitch (audience choice) - Winner $2,000, runner-up, $1,000

Category 2 – Pitches for Impact

  • Most Appealing Idea (expert panel decision) - Winner $3,500, Runner-up $2,000
  • Best Pitch (audience choice) - Winner $2,000, Runner-up $1,000

Category 3 – Best Worst Idea

  • Best 'worst' Pitch (audience choice) - Winner $2,000, Runner up $1,000
  • Monday 27th September: pitch submissions open. Send your video to incubator@mq.edu.au
  • Sunday 10th October: pitch submissions close
  • Wednesday 13th October: Audience choice award voting commences
  • Thursday 21st October: Audience choice award voting closes.
  • Wednesday 27th October: Pitch Awards Event