Do You Have a Startup Idea?

Would you like feedback from CU alumni?

Enter Fast Pitch, Columbia Engineering’s campus-wide annual elevator pitch competition, and win money to support your idea. Teams have 60 seconds to sell their business ideas to a panel of judges to win up to $5,000. Fast Pitch is Columbia’s longest running pitch competition on campus. Register to attend the live competition on November 16.

The Competition

60-second pitch

60-second pitch of your business to a panel of judges that includes successful Columbia alumni and members of NYC venture community

$5,000 prize pool

There will be a $2000 prize pool solely for undergraduates and a $3000 pool for the best overall pitches

For CU students and Alumni

Opened to all CU undergraduate and graduate students across campus. Alumni 2 years out are welcome.

Improve your sales skills

Your elevator pitch could be the most impactful way to convey your business to an outsider. Mastering the skill of the pitch to hook your investors, partners, or customers within the first minute is crucial

No charge

Attendance and participation is free. As for the experience, it’s priceless.

Any questions? Email us at seaseship@columbia.edu.
Sign up for alerts and notifications about the next Fast Pitch competition.

Can Columbia alumni apply?

Recently graduated alumni (no more than 2 years; i.e. 2020) can apply.

I have a blended team of Columbia and non-Columbia team members.
Are we eligible to apply?

Yes, however at least 50% of the team must be Columbia students/alumni.

I am unable to pitch live at the event on November 16.
Can another team member pitch for my team?

Yes, actual team members can pitch at the event.

Winners of Fast Pitch 2021

✨Undergraduate Challenge

Graduate Challenge

RivR

Python Fix

LangAvi

Joyshare (tie)
Joanne (tie)

Petids (tie)
Throworg (tie)
Acute (tie)

Audience Choice Award

Team Releese

Timeline for the Fast Pitch Competition

Video Pitches Due

Submit your application with a link to your video on Younoodle

Oct 28

Video requirements:

60 seconds
1 – 2 people pitching for the team
no slides (a custom zoom background with your team logo is encouraged)
record in landscape on your phone or laptop
use good lighting and audio – these are crucial

Feedback

Feedback on videos released to applicants

Week of Nov 7 - 11

Columbia alumni and members of NYC’s venture community will review your pitch and provide you with feedback before the live event.

Fast Pitch Live Competition

Nov 16

Applicants will be contacted a week before the live event to pitch the evening of November 16th on campus.

Previous Fast Pitch Winners Annoucement