Programs

What’s Your Pitch:
Innovations Meet the Market

Are you an entrepreneur with an innovative and sustainable business idea, product, or service? Is your business working to improve environmental, economic, or social challenges? Pitch us your idea today for the chance to win cash prizes and unique business opportunities!

Apply Now

Returning user?
If you already started an application, use this link with your username and password to return to your saved information.

2021 Legacy Founders and Co-Sponsors

Upwards of $40,000 in cash prizes and service values awarded in 2021!

2022 Categories

Consumer Goods
Healthcare & Life Science
Energy & Utilities
High Tech
Manufacturing, Business Services and Others

2022 Competition Agenda

Applications Open: February 1, 2022
Applications Close: June 30, 2022

Regional Competitions: August 2022
National Competition: October 2022

2021 Prizes

1st Place: $20,000
2nd Place: $15,000
3rd Place: $5,000

2022 Prizes Coming Soon!

Apply Now

Deadline: June 30, 2022

Apply Online

Startups in the National Competition will:

Have the opportunity to join USPAACC's Pitch Alumni and to connect with past competitors.
Attend USPAACC's Innovation Symposium in October 2022.
Enjoy networking opportunities with potential angel investors, venture capitalists, high growth entrepreneurs, possible partners and clients, corporate executives and SME business owners.

3 National Finalists will receive:

Cash-prizes only, no equity or ownership from investors.
Marketing and press release coverage on USPAACC's website and social media channels.
Potential mentorship and networking opportunities.

Testimonials

“Our next step is to grow, grow, grow… the prize money that we got from this competition will really help us pour directly into working capital and boost our production numbers.”
– Adam Hokin, PedalCell

"I think from the beginning to the end of the competition, we got a lot better at clearly explaining what it is that makes Leap unique as a company, that's from the technology to the value creation for our customers to our approach on sustainability."
– Dr. David Berney Needleman, Leap Photovoltaics

“I started Ichosia as a research project in high school. I didn’t have access to research grants or a network of investors and really had to start this company from scratch. It’s completely due to pitch competitions and the generosity of sponsors like USPAACC that made what we’re doing at Ichosia possible,”
– Lucas Vining, Ichosia Biotechnology

Strategic Partner

2022 Rules and Eligibilities

Team Composition

Teams that have won/placed in past competitions are not eligible to compete again unless they have a new technology or a completely new venture.
Each team may bring up to 5 team members including the team leader. A minimum of 2 team members must be present for the in-person portion.

Categories / Sectors

Possible categories

Consumer Goods
Food and Beverages, Cosmetics & Fashion, B2C Mobile Apps
Life Science & Healthcare
Medical Technologies, Medical Device, Healthcare IT Solutions, Biotech, Biopharma
Technology
AI, Blockchain, Machine Learning, 3D Printing, Cybersecurity, Robotics, IoT, Enterprise Software, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality
Energy & Utilities
Clean Energy, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Transportation & Mobility, Hybrid Vehicles, Natural Gas, Oil & Gas Technologies
Manufacturing, Business Services and Others
All Manufacturing and Related, Supply Chain, FinTech, Logistics, etc.

Revenue Limitation

All ventures have to be seeking equity/ capital/ early stage investments or angel investments. We do not provide research grants, loans, friends and family funding or any accelerator, incubator equity funding.
All ventures have to be for-profits.

Intellectual Property

An IP is not required but highly recommended.

Startup Stage

Only new ventures in early growth, seed and start-up stage can compete at this competition.
You may compete in the USPAACC competition more than once. Only previous applicants, who have refined their ideas and products, will be reviewed by the Committee.

Ineligibility

Startups that have raised more than $1 million in equity capital, other than from friends and family.
Startups that operate as or have participated in M&As, growth and/or expansion of existing companies, franchises, licensing agreements and spinouts from current companies.

**Business MUST have a valid US address to apply