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ScarletPitch 2025
Date & Time Friday, February 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Location Busch Campus Student Center, Piscataway, NJ
Introducing ScarletPitch 2025
ScarletPitch is a university-wide competition for Rutgers-New Brunswick undergraduates to present innovative ideas that tackle global challenges. Whether it’s a social action project, a startup venture, or another big idea, this platform empowers students to showcase their creativity and make an impact!
Here is a digital flyer outlining all the information!
FAQs
Who can participate?
Undergraduate students enrolled at Rutgers-New Brunswick (part-time or full-time)
How many people can be on a team?
Teams can consist of 1 to 5 members
What is the format for the pitch?
Each pitch is 5 minutes, followed by a 2-minute Q&A session. Your pitch should address:
- The problem you’re solving
- The proposed solution
- Your unique advantage (How is your idea innovative or different)
- Business model and potential customers
- Your top competitors
When does the application open?
- Applications open December 9, 2024. Be sure to apply before 11:59 PM ET on February 7, 2025.
- Not yet ready to apply? No problem, pre-register your interest to get access to invites to practice your pitch and receive feedback.
What do I need for the application?
- See the Application Guide for timeline, application questions, and judging rubric.
What are UPitchNJ and the Hult Prize? Are they the same as ScarletPitch?
- ScarletPitch, UPitchNJ, and Hult Prize are three DIFFERENT pitch competitions.
- UPitchNJ: A statewide competition held in May. One Rutgers team will be chosen at ScarletPitch to represent Rutgers at UPitchNJ. Team members must be undergraduate students.
- Hult Prize: An international competition with semi-finals in June. One Rutgers team will be selected at ScarletPitch to compete in the Hult Prize semi-finals.
Teams not selected at ScarletPitch can still enter the Hult Prize Open competition for another chance to advance to the semi-finals. Rutgers teams have historically been successful in this route.
Why do I need to select a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for my idea?
- ScarletPitch encourages sustainability. The SDGs address global challenges, and most ideas align with one or more of them.
- If you’re unsure which SDG fits your idea, email idea.hatchery@rutgers.edu to schedule a consultation session.
Can I participate if I’ve already pitched this idea at other competitions?
Yes! Participation in multiple pitch events is encouraged to gain experience and feedback to advance your idea.
What is an elevator pitch?
A concise, spoken presentation of your idea without slides. Imagine describing your idea during a brief elevator ride—how would you convey it before the person steps off?
Do I need to compete in ScarletPitch to be selected for UPitchNJ or the Hult Prize?
Yes, participation in ScarletPitch is required for selection to represent Rutgers in UPitchNJ or the Hult Prize.
What prizes will be awarded?
UPitchNJ Selection: $250
(Note: You don’t need to place overall to be selected for the Hult Prize or UPitchNJ.)
1st Place Overall: $1500
2nd Place Overall: $1000
3rd Place Overall: $750
Audience Choice Award: $250
Hult Prize Selection: $250
Congratulations to HomeGuard- 1st Place winner at the 2024 Statewide UpitchNJ Competition!
HomeGuard was also the “Audience Choice” selection at the 2024 Competition held at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
All photos above taken by Benjamin Lowe, used with permission.
UPitchNJ Statewide Finals – The 2024 Competition was back in person! Special Thanks to Nokia Bell Labs for providing sponsorship, mentoring to the teams and judging at the event.
Where: New Jersey Institute of Technology Campus Center, Ballroom A (Second Floor)
When: Friday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. https://www.njit.edu/campus-parking-maps
Congratulations to MoneyUp – 1st Place winner at the 2023 Rutgers and Statewide UpitchNJ Competitions!
Read more about the UpitchNJ competition and MoneyUp here.