The Big Pitch

Overview:

Prize Pool: ₹20,000 for Pitchers + Exciting Rewards for Audience Investors!

Got an idea worth pitching? Or do you have the instincts to identify the next promising startup?

The Big Pitch, organised by E-Cell, MNIT Jaipur, as part of SPHINX'26, brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and future investors for an exciting blend of startup pitching, virtual investment, competition, and comedy.

Whether you want to present your startup idea before a panel of judges or participate as a virtual investor and evaluate promising ventures, The Big Pitch gives you a chance to be part of the action!

Prizes and Rewards:

For Pitchers — ₹20,000 Total Prize Pool

• ₹10,000 — Best Startup Idea: Awarded to the team receiving the highest score from the judges.
• ₹10,000 — Score-Guess Winner: Awarded to the pitcher whose predicted final score most closely matches the judges' actual score.

For Audience Investors — Exciting Rewards!

Think you can identify the most promising startup? Participate as a virtual investor, invest your virtual tokens in the ventures you believe in, and compete for exciting rewards and goodies based on your investment decisions.

Audience participation is completely free. Virtual tokens have no real monetary value.

Category 1: Pitcher — Startup Pitching Competition

Have an innovative idea, a startup concept, or a solution to a real-world problem? This is your opportunity to present it on stage!

Who Can Participate?

• Students from colleges and universities across India.
• Aspiring entrepreneurs and startup teams.
• Individuals or teams working on innovative business ideas, technology solutions, or ventures with potential impact.
• Inter-college and interdisciplinary teams are welcome.

Team Size:

A maximum of 3 members per team.

Registration and Submission Requirements:

Pitching teams must submit:

• Pitch Display Image: A separate image of 1920 × 1080 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio) containing the brand or project name, logo (if available), and a brief description of the idea. This image will be displayed on the event screen during the team's pitch.
• Registration Details: Complete the required application fields. Basic screening questions may be used where necessary.

Selection Process:

Round 1 — Registration and Shortlisting

The organising team will review submissions based on problem identification, relevance, innovation, market potential, business model, feasibility, scalability, and potential impact. Selected teams will advance to the pitching round.

Round 2 — The Startup Pitch

Shortlisted teams will present their ideas before a panel of judges. Each pitch should clearly communicate the problem, solution, target market, business model, and growth potential.

The judges will evaluate the teams based on:

• Innovation and originality
• Problem–solution fit
• Market opportunity
• Business model and feasibility
• Scalability and growth potential
• Presentation and clarity

A question-and-answer session may follow each pitch.

Score-Guess Challenge:

Before pitching, participants will predict their final judges' score. The pitcher whose prediction most closely matches the actual score will be eligible for the ₹10,000 Score-Guess prize, subject to the organisers' final rules.

Rules for Pitchers:

• All submitted ideas and presentations must be original.
• Teams must submit the required pitch deck and display image.
• Only shortlisted teams will be invited to pitch.
• Participants must follow the time limits and instructions communicated by the organisers.
• Score predictions must be submitted before the pitch and cannot be changed afterwards, as per the event rules.
• The judges' scores will determine the competition results.

Category 2: Investor — Audience Investment Competition

You don't need a startup to participate in The Big Pitch! If you enjoy analysing ideas, spotting opportunities, and making strategic decisions, join as an audience investor.

Who Can Participate?

Students and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in startups, business ideas, and investment decision-making are welcome to participate as virtual investors.

How It Works:

• Register as an Investor: Complete the audience registration process. Entry is free.
• Receive Virtual Investment Capital: Every investor receives an equal initial allocation of virtual tokens.
• Watch the Pitches: Listen to the shortlisted teams present their ideas and evaluate their potential.
• Invest Your Tokens: Allocate your virtual tokens to the startups you believe are most promising, following the rules announced by the organisers.
• Compete for Rewards: Your investment decisions will be evaluated, and participants demonstrating strong investment judgment will have the opportunity to win exciting rewards and goodies.

Rules for Investors:

• Participation as an audience investor is free.
• Virtual tokens are for the event activity only and have no real monetary value.
• Every investor receives an equal initial virtual investment allocation.
• Investors must follow the token allocation rules announced by the organisers.
• Investment decisions must be made according to the event's instructions.
• Rewards will be determined according to the organisers' announced evaluation mechanism.

More Than Just Pitching:

The Big Pitch combines entrepreneurship with entertainment! Alongside startup presentations and virtual investments, a comedy segment will keep the atmosphere lively and engaging, making the event an exciting experience for pitchers, investors, judges, and spectators alike.

Event Details:

• Event: The Big Pitch
• Fest: SPHINX'26 — MNIT Jaipur
• Organiser: E-Cell, MNIT Jaipur
• Date: 31 October 2026
• Venue: Deeksha Sabhagar, MNIT Jaipur
• Pitcher Prize Pool: ₹20,000
• Audience Investors: Free entry with exciting rewards

Bring your ideas. Back the ventures you believe in. Experience The Big Pitch at SPHINX'26!