Pitch OWU

Do you have a big idea?

Calling all OWU Students to apply for Pitch OWU, sponsored by The Woltemade Center!

If you have an innovative and original idea, you are encouraged to apply to compete in The Woltemade Center's annual pitch competition.

Compete against peers in various disciplines to pitch your idea to a panel of judges; the top three teams or individuals will receive funding to foster the growth of your ventures. Students can apply individually or as a team. There is a maximum of four team members per team.

All majors are encouraged to apply.

Student teams are given five minutes to pitch, followed by three minutes of questions from the judges. Presentations may include PowerPoint, visual aids, props or other materials; however, presentations must stand alone without a written business plan.

Pitch OWU Competition 

Spring 2026 - February 26th (During the OWU Connection Conference) 

Prizes

The cash prizes listed below are for the entire team, not for individual team members. Prizes will be allocated as follows:

OWU Students 

1st Place: $3,000
2nd Place: $1,500
3rd Place: $750

Eligibility

  • All Ohio Wesleyan students are eligible to apply for the Pitch OWU. All majors are encouraged to apply!
  • All members of the presenting team must be currently enrolled students at OWU (earning credit toward a degree).
  • Teams are not eligible if their business has earned more than $50,000 in revenue.
  • The ownership makeup of ventures eligible for the competition is restricted to current students.
  • Students must explain in the pitch how they intend to acquire sufficient rights to intellectual property, if the university or another entity owns the patent or research that supports their business model.
  • If you competed in the Pitch OWU Competition or Big Problem Challenge previously, you may apply again to compete with a new business idea. 

Pitching your Idea

  1. Problem: A clear description of the problem
  2. Customer Segment: Who has this problem? Define the characteristics of your typical customer.  
  3. Why is the problem worth solving?
  4. Existing Alternatives: How do your target customers currently solve the problem? Describe the nature of the competing products or services. What is the advantage of your product or service over the alternatives? Why should people buy your product?
  5. Solution: A clear description of your product or service and how it solves the problem.
  6. Cost Structure: Describe your product or service costs.
  7. Revenue Stream: Describe how you are planning to generate revenue.

Important Dates 

Optional Pitch Workshop: TBA 

Submission Deadline: February 10, 2026

Competition Date: February 26, 2026 (During the OWU Connection Conference) 

Application now open! 

Resources to help you prepare:

Contact Prof. Cliff Hurst at cghurst@owu.edu for more information about Pitch OWU and to learn more about opportunities in Entrepreneurship.