The College-by-College Pitch Off Returns to Iowa State University, Offering Over $30,000 in Cash Prizes 

Aidan Bostwick pitching his business idea to a panel of judges in the Student Innovation Center Launch Pad during the 2023 College-By-College Pitch Off.

[AMES, January 17, 2024] – The excitement is building as the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship prepares to host the College-by-College Pitch Off for the seventh year in a row. This unique competition invites students from all seven colleges at Iowa State University to showcase their innovative business ideas, with the chance to win a total of over $30,000 in cash prizes. 

The College-by-College Pitch Off, scheduled to take place at the Student Innovation Center on the Iowa State campus, offers students the opportunity to present a 90-second pitch about their business ideas or concepts in front of a panel of judges. The competition features two distinct categories for participants: new business idea, for concepts still in the idea stage, and existing business idea, for businesses that have already generated revenue or developed prototypes/products. 

In the first round of the competition, participants will compete against students within their own college. First-place winners in each of the two categories, from each of the seven colleges, will be awarded $500, while second-place winners will receive $250. The four winners from each college will then advance to the pitch off finale, competing for a portion of the $18,000 in cash prizes. 

Competition Dates and Details by College: 

• College of Design | Tuesday, February 13 
• College of Vet Med | Thursday, February 15  
• Ivy College of Business | Monday, February 19  
• College of Liberal Arts & Sciences | Tuesday, February 20  
• College of Ag & Life Sciences | Wednesday, February 21 
• College of Human Sciences | Thursday, February 22  
• College of Engineering | Friday, February 23  
• Pitch Competition Finale | Friday, February 27 

 For those new to pitching, the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is offering pitch workshops that will provide valuable tips on how to create a compelling pitch. The workshops are open to students from all colleges and are scheduled as follows: 

• Vet Med Pitch Workshop | Tuesday, Jan 30 
• Pitch Workshop (Open to all colleges) | Monday, Feb 5 
• Pitch Workshop (Open to all colleges) | Thursday, Feb 8 

 To secure a spot in the College-by-College Pitch-Off, students are encouraged to register early, as only the first 25 applicants from each college will be accepted. Additional applicants will be added to a waitlist. 

For more information and to register, visit isupjcenter.org, or contact the Pappajohn Center team at info@isupjcenter.org or 515-296-6532. 

About the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship: The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship acts as a bridge among the university’s entrepreneurship courses, experiential learning opportunities, and venture creation resources. With a core mission to support Iowa’s entrepreneurs, the center provides programs connecting students, community entrepreneurs, business professionals, and alumni.