HCC PitchFest Competition & EXPO

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HCC PitchFest Competition & EXPO

Unleash Your Innovative Potential at the HCC Spring 2025 Entrepreneur PitchFest!

Are you an HCC student with a groundbreaking idea or innovative project? The HCC Spring 2025 Entrepreneur PitchFest is your platform to showcase your technical expertise and entrepreneurial vision.

This competition invites HCC students to present their creative solutions and innovative projects with the potential for real-world impact and market viability. All engineering-focused ideas and innovations are encouraged!

Compete for up to $3,000 in cash prizes, sponsored by the Southwest Center for Entrepreneurship, to fuel the development of your venture.

The PitchFest is designed to foster an environment where engineering ingenuity meets entrepreneurial drive. We're looking for innovative approaches to address significant challenges and create impactful solutions.

Submit your application outlining your engineering concept between February 21st and May 2nd! Application Below.

Finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas at the Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Loop Campus.

This is more than just a competition; it's a chance to gain valuable feedback, network with entrepreneurial resources, and potentially launch your engineering innovation into a successful business. HCC is committed to supporting student entrepreneurs and harnessing the power of engineering talent to drive innovation and create impactful ventures.

Key Highlights for Engineers:

  • Focus on Innovation: Showcase your technical solutions and engineering ingenuity.
  • Entrepreneurial Focus: Present your idea with a business-oriented perspective.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with mentors and resources in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Seed Funding Potential: Compete for cash prizes to help bring your engineering venture to life.

Don't miss this opportunity to turn your engineering expertise into a thriving entrepreneurial endeavor!

Note: Click on the ⊕ icon to see more

More about the competition

General information

The HCC PitchFest competition allows students to share and showcase their creative ideas and innovation projects. Individuals or teams can compete in the competition by delivering a pitch to a panel of judges. Students should pitch a product or service, exploring innovative approaches to market gaps and needs.

 

Schedule of Workshops/Training events

OnDemand Sessions:

  1. PITCHFEST@HCC On-Demand Training Sessions YouTube Playlist URL
  2. Verizon Small Business Digital Skills: 40+ Courses, free from Verizon)

SPRING@2025 Live Sessions: 

  1. The Inventor's Patent Academy  - https://hcc.idloom.events/Innovate (2/18: 12pm-2pm, 2/25: 12pm-2pm, 3/4: 12pm-2pm)
  2. How to Build and Train your AI Models (2/28: 5:30 pm, 3/8: 9:00 am, 3/24: 5:30 pm, 3/31: 5:30 pm) 
  3. Rice University - Engineering Networking event: 2/28 (6 pm to 8 pm): RSVP to ravi.brahmbhatt@hccs.edu by 2/26.
  4. CCIC at HCC - Student Innovation Challenge 
  5. Codefest at HCC South Campus - 4/12 

 

 

 

Judging Criteria

The criteria are based on solving the societal need that has high impact (affects many), sustainable (Eco-friendly/Green), creates value or fills a gap, and can (or has) be prototyped, tested, or validated.

Ideas will be judged on the following primary criteria:

  • Social Impact (Number of people impacted or lives affected)
  • Economic Impact (value creation)
  • Environmental Impact (Sustainability/Green Footprint)
  • Completeness/Delivery(Presentation/Team)
  • The originality of Idea (Ownership/IP by the student(s))

 

Student requirements

1. Provide a Pitch Presentation. 
(Download a sample template)

2. Provide a Visual Concept of the idea, if applicable

  • Photo/Drawing/Other
  • 3d Printed Sample or design

 3. Develop a short video* pitch (Optional - but recommended)

  • Post it on YouTube as a public video or an unlisted video

*Need help recording your pitch?

Visit the HCC One Button Studio at any of the following campus libraries:

  • HCC Spring Branch Campus
  • HCC Central Campus Library
  • HCC Alief Hayes - West Houston Insititute Learning Commons

 

Hear from former contestants:

 

See Past Presentation and Award Ceremony

 

Student National and Global Competition Winners

 

 

READY? Let's Go

Complete the PitchFest Competition Application Below:

Please read the instructions carefully and stay within the guidelines.

HCC reserves the right to disqualify any miscategorized or incomplete entries.

NOTE: If you are selected as a winner and awarded cash prizes and/or an internship and/or access to an accelerator program, please be aware that you are responsible for making the necessary arrangements to commence the opportunity in a timely manner. Once you start your opportunity, it is understood that you will abide by the terms and conditions of the program as required by your host organization.

Furthermore, by participating in the competition, you agree to release and hold HCC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, and actions of any kind (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) in connection with or resulting from, participation in the competition including—without limitation—personal injuries, death, property damages and any claims by third parties or otherwise based on publicity rights, defamation, copyright, trademark, invasion of privacy or other violations of law relating to your participation in the competition or its opportunities.

For more information, call the Office of Student Innovation & Entrepreneurship at 713.718.5269 or email: ravi.brahmbhatt@hccs.edu

HCC IDEAS Competition events schedule, rules, awards, and this page was updated on 02/22/2022.

Check out the Past competitions and winners:

Check out the videos/pictures from Inventathon@HCC: