Pitch-Off - 25 November 2026

Join us for our end-of-semester Pitch-Off, celebrating exciting ideas, ventures and founders from across the University of Edinburgh.

Applications for this Pitch-Off close on 16 November 2026 at 12:00 pm

Three ways to get involved for our students and alumni (2 years post-graduation) - A share of £1,500 up for grabs to support your business further.

1) Pitch in the Sandbox Category

Open to University of Edinburgh students and alumni up to two years post-graduation who participated in a Sandbox between September and November 2026.

Put the idea you developed through Sandbox to the test and compete against fellow Sandbox participants in our live Pitch-Off.

Up to six finalists will be selected to pitch live at the event.

2) Pitch in the Open Category

Open to all University of Edinburgh students and alumni up to two years post-graduation.

Have an idea or venture you'd love to share? The Open Pitch Competition is your opportunity to take the stage, whether or not you've previously participated in Sandbox.

Up to five finalists will be selected to pitch live at the event.

3) Come and Watch

Open to University of Edinburgh staff, students and alumni.

Join us in the audience to cheer on our finalists, hear exciting ideas from across the University and experience the energy of live pitching. There will also be an opportunity to connect with finalists, judges and members of the wider entrepreneurial community after the competition.

Applying to Pitch

Pitching places are limited. Anyone wishing to compete must submit a 1-minute video pitch as part of their application.

Applications for the Pitch-Off close on 16 November 2026 at 12:00pm (noon).

Pitch Application Rules

To ensure a fair process for everyone, please make sure your application meets the following requirements:

• Your video must be no longer than 1 minute. Videos exceeding the 1-minute time limit may not be considered.

• Your pitch must be delivered by you. We want to see and hear you communicate your idea in your own voice.

• AI must not be used to deliver or artificially manipulate your performance. This includes AI-generated voices or avatars, voice cloning, artificially speeding up your speech to fit additional content within the time limit, or similar techniques. Basic video editing, such as trimming the beginning or end of your recording, is fine.

• Your video link must be accessible to the judging panel. Please ensure judges can view it without requesting access. For example, a YouTube video set to “Unlisted” is acceptable. We strongly recommend testing your link in a private/incognito browser before submitting.

• Applications must be received by the deadline. Applications received after 12:00pm (noon) on 16 November 2026 may not be considered.

• Submitting an application does not guarantee a place in the live Pitch-Off. Applications will be reviewed by an internal judging panel, and the strongest applicants will be selected as finalists.

• Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 20 November 2026.

• Finalists must be available to pitch in person on 25 November 2026. We are unable to accommodate hybrid or online pitches.

• Please do not include confidential or commercially sensitive information in your video that you would not be comfortable sharing with the judging panel. Finalists should also remember that the live pitch will be delivered in front of an audience.

• Your application and video may be shared with members of the judging panel for the purpose of assessing and selecting finalists.

What Happens After I Apply!?

If I am selected as a finalist

If you are selected as a finalist, we will contact you by 20 November 2026 to confirm your place in the live Pitch-Off.

You will be invited to pitch in person on 25 November 2026 as part of either the Sandbox Pitch-Off or Open Pitch Competition.

On the day:

• You will have 3 minutes to deliver your live pitch.
• Your pitch will be followed by one question from the lead judge.
• All finalists must attend and pitch in person. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate hybrid or online pitches.

We will provide finalists with further information about timings and what to expect ahead of the event.

If I am not selected as a finalist

Pitching places are limited, so unfortunately we will not be able to offer everyone who applies a place in the live competition.

We will be in touch by 20 November 2026. If you are not selected this time, we would still love to see you there! Your registration for the event still stands, and you are warmly invited to join us in the audience on 25 November 2026. We will also have an open mic section of the programme to allow you to give your best 1-minute pitch! This will take place on 25 November on a first-come, first-served basis; no slides will be allowed.

Come along to cheer on your peers, hear some brilliant ideas and ventures from across the University, and connect with students, alumni, judges and members of the wider entrepreneurial community during networking.