The River Pitch Business Idea Competition was created to help ideas and early-stage businesses further progress. There is no entry fee and the event is open to both students and community members alike. The slate of competitors will be divided into separate booths with several teams competing at each booth. One presenter from each team will have up to 3 minutes to pitch their idea, and the judges will have up to 5 minutes to ask questions of the presenter. After all teams have pitched, the judges will deliberate and a $1,000 prize winner from each booth will be announced.
Thank You for Participating in River Pitch!
See the Competition ResultsEvent Details
- Date: November 15, 2022
- Location: Tuscaloosa River Market
- Address: 1900 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
- Time: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided
Additional Details
Beyond the chance to win funding, River Pitch is also an opportunity to get valuable feedback on your idea. You may even meet someone who wants to help you develop your idea into a business. AEI is hosting a series of workshops to help you prepare for the event. You can check out these workshops here.
The River Pitch Competition is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. During one week each November, thousands of events and competitions in 160 countries inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors, and even investors. Powered by the Kauffman Foundation, the initiative is supported by dozens of world leaders and a network of more than 20,000 partner organizations.
Competition Rules and Judging Criteria
- There is no entry fee to attend or participate in River Pitch.
- Teams must register in the Fall of 2022 in order to compete.
- This competition is geared towards early-stage businesses/ideas. If the AEI team deems that an idea is too far along, the team may be disqualified from participating.
- Previous River Pitch competition winners should not pitch the same idea. People who pitch a more established business and perhaps one that won a different competition (e.g., Aldag) can compete ONLY IF there are other people at the same level so we can create an established concept booth and if there is space left to add this type of booth. You may contact the AEI team with further questions.
- The venue will be divided into several different booths for the competition. Student and Community competitors will be assigned to separate booths. Teams only pitch at their designated booth and judges will determine the booth winner.
- Only one person can pitch an idea; however, if needed a team member in the audience can assist to answer a question.
- The presenter may use notecards or showcase a prop/prototype to help convey the idea. However, no slides/presentations will be allowed.
- Contestants will have up to 3 minutes to pitch and up to 5 minutes to answer questions from the judges.
- All ideas pitched must be the original work of the entrants.
Join Us!
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
