Fast Pitch

 

The largest pitch competition at Columbia University since 2013.

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 since 2013.

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.
Interest Form
App go live in October
Registeration will open in October

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.

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 2022

✨Undergraduate Challenge

✨Graduate Challenge

Lion Market

First place for undergraduates went to team Lion Market, represented by Christian Valadez (SEAS ‘24) and Christhian Salazar (CC ‘23). The Lion Market team suggested an app for Columbia students to safely buy and sell, winning a $1,200 prize. 

RePlaste: Creating Sapor™️

In the graduate group, Hamza Haider (SPS ‘23) came in first for a $1,200 prize with RePlaste: Creating Sapor™️ – Marble of the Future. Hamza presented the idea of reducing plastic pollution by recycling plastic wastes into solid blocks.

Plugged

Undergraduate team Plugged, represented by a solo competitor, Gal Lev Ari (GS ‘26), came in second place, winning $800. Gal presented a platform connecting artists to businesses through live performances. 

Airflow Seating System Technologies

Cooper Shifrin (SEAS ‘23) came in second place and won $800 with Airflow Seating System Technologies. Cooper pitched a medical mattress technology that eliminates pressure injuries.

Blush

Another solo player, Kentrie Tran (SEAS ‘25), came in third place, winning $400. Kentrie competed with her idea of a new social networking platform, Blush, that provides a safe sexual environment. 

Elivio Health

Albert Go (SEAS ‘22) came in third place for $500 with Elivio Health. Albert aims to use Elivio Health to redefine postoperative care.

✨Audience Choice Award

Sourceable

Apart from the places, Graduate/Alumni Team Sourceable, run by Lena Arkawi (SIPA ‘22) and Siddhant Rajeev Kumar (SEAS ‘23), won the Audience Choice Award, receiving $100 prizes. Sourceable presented a platform that provides verified data in real-time.

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

2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014