Vertical Track Requirements
Vertical Tracks Round Breakdown & Requirements
Round Breakdown
The vertical tracks encompass those who have selected the tracks of Consumer Goods & Services, Business Goods & Services, Social Innovation, Health & Life Sciences, or Food Innovation. Participants in this track will compete in three rounds.
- The top 10 teams from each track from Round 1 will advance to Round 2.
- Results are announced on February 11th, 2026.
- During Round 2, teams will pitch virtually via zoom on March 18th, 2026, with the top 5 teams in each track advancing to Round 3.
- Results are announced on March 20th, 2025.
- During Round 3, teams will pitch in-person at Western Market on April 22nd, 2026, with the top 3 teams winning prize money.
- All finalists who advance to round 3 are also eligible for special category prizes.
- During the Award Ceremony, teams will pitch live and in-Person at Jack Morton Auditorium on April 23rd, 2026.
- Results for all tracks and prizes are announced during the Award Ceremony on April 23rd, 2026.
Below are the requirements for each round.
Round 1 Requirements
Submit Round 1 Online Application:
What you'll need...
- Team Information.
- 50-word business thesis.
- Responses to 5 questions regarding your venture idea (250 words each).
Resources:
Round 1 application submissions due on Sunday, February 1st, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
Round 1 Application Opens Monday, December 8th
Round 2 Requirements
Submit Round 2 Online Application:
What you'll need...
- A 1-page executive summary.
- Must submit a pdf file.
- 8-slide PowerPoint deck.
- Must submit a .pptx file.
Pitch Virtually:
- 7-min virtual pitch on March 18th, 2026.
Resources:
Worksheets:
Round 2 application submissions due on Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
Round 2 Application Opens Wednesday, February 11th
Round 3 Requirements
Submit Round 3 Online Application:
What you'll need...
- Updated 1-page executive summary.
- Must submit a pdf file.
- Updated PowerPoint deck (no slide limit restriction).
- Must submit a .pptx file.
Pitch In-person:
- 10-min in-person pitch at Western Market on April 22nd, 2026.
Resources:
Worksheets:
Round 3 application submissions due on Sunday, April 12th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
Round 3 Application Opens Friday, March 20th
Award Ceremony Requirements
For Vertical 4 Finalists Only!
Submit Award Ceremony Materials:
What you'll need...
- Updated PowerPoint deck (no slide limit restriction).
- Must submit a .pptx file.
- 30-sec video.
- Must submit a .mp4 file.
Pitch Live In-person:
- 2-min in-person pitch at Jack Morton Auditorium on April 23rd, 2026.
Award ceremony application/materials submissions due on Sunday, April 12th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
Award Ceremony Application Opens Friday, March 20th