Have a cool idea?

All businesses start with an idea.

Before committing to writing a business plan, a pitch and poster competition is the perfect way to gain constructive feedback on your new business idea. Hosted by the Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the competition is open to all OSU students of any discipline with or without business experience. Scholarships are awarded to the overall competition winner and to the top three finalists for each of the competition tracks. A people’s choice is also selected by guests throughout the competition.

Apply here

Pitch example

Pitch & Poster lead-up workshops

Oct. 3, 2024

Competition Informative Session

Attendees will gain a basic overview of competing in a pitch competition and what is expected.

Oct. 10, 2024

Poster Creation Best Practices

Attendees will receive practical assistance with poster creation, including design tips and tools to visually communicate their ideas effectively.

Oct. 17, 2024

Pitching Best Practices

Attendees will learn the best practices for delivering a compelling 90-second elevator pitch, along with techniques to confidently present and articulate their ideas to judges.

Apply here Pitch example Rules and regulations Poster component guidelines

Competition schedule

Oct. 18, 2024

Intent to compete deadline

Tell us who you are, what you do and what track you would like to compete in. (Note: Only one track per team.)

Oct. 25, 2024

Poster submission deadline

All participants must submit a poster to the Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at riata@okstate.edu. (Note: Late submissions will not be accepted).

Nov. 1, 2024

Riata Pitch and Poster Competition live event

Participants present their poster and 90-second elevator pitch to a group of judges followed directly by a 90-second Q&A session.

Rules and regulations

Poster component guidelines

Pitch component guidelines

Scoring

Elevator pitch

Additional information

Social Enterprise

Should implement solutions to social, cultural or environmental issues.

Big City/High Tech Businesses

Should have an IP or technology component.

Main Street Lifestyle Businesses

Should include products or services available for a larger market scope.

Rising Entrepreneur

Includes anyone who received scholarship money from a previous pitch and poster competition, no matter their previous track.

Spears School of Business

Pitch and poster