Big Idea Blitz

Thinking of competing in the Big Idea Competition, or a similar pitch competition? Want to gain valuable experience and boost your innovation skillset? Whether you are just tinkering with a new idea or prepping for a high-stakes pitch, Big Idea Blitz is your launchpad. This immersive, 24-hour+ virtual workshop is open to all University of Pittsburgh students – undergraduate, graduate, and students at regional campuses – and postdocs who are ready to turn their ideas into action. Big Idea Blitz is a supportive, fast-paced environment meant to spark progress. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your drive. 

Why Big Idea Blitz?

Jump in anywhere: Whether you’ve got a brand-new concept or a polished prototype, this workshop provides you with concentrated time to work on your project and help you take it further.

Sharpen your pitch: From a no-slide, 60-second elevator pitch to a polished mock pitch in front of real judges – get invaluable practice.

Hands-on mentoring: Learn from Big Idea Center staff and entrepreneurs in residence during our Saturday deep-dive workshop.

Feedback that sticks: Gain actionable insights from industry experts to strengthen your idea and fuel your next competition.

Zero pressure, all growth: Hone your idea in a supportive, risk-free environment before stepping onto a stage where real money is on the line.

Who should participate?

This program is for any Pitt student or Pitt-led student team at any point in the ideation process. You can be working on a very new idea and seeking to learn more about key concepts OR you could have been working on an idea for a long period of time and needing extra feedback and workshop experience prior to an upcoming competition.

We recommend that everyone participating as part of a team have at least 2 or more current Pitt students (a common competition requirement). However, individuals with their own ideas may participate by themselves.

IDEA & TEAM LEAD APPLICATION

All idea leads and/or team leads must submit an IDEA/TEAM LEAD APPLICATION. This application serves as the main, written portion of your application.

If you are a single-person team, you only need to complete the Idea/Team Lead Application. No further action is needed.

IDEA/TEAM LEAD APPLICATION

INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBER REGISTRATION

All participating team members on a multi-person team are required to register as part of the team. Team Leads only need to complete the Idea/Team Lead Application. Team Leads should ensure that all participating team members listed on the Idea/Team Lead Application have completed this requirement by the listed deadline.

INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBER REGISTRATION

 

What Previous Participants Have to Say About Big Idea Blitz:

Blitz Breakdown

Day 1: Kickoff

Welcome to Big Idea Blitz! Day 1 sets the tone for a high-energy weekend of creativity, collaboration, and bold thinking. You’ll get a behind the scenes look at how the rest of the program will unfold, meet the passionate team behind Blitz (including Big Idea Center staff and entrepreneurs in residence) and gain access to a library of resources and materials mean to support you throughout the journey.

The real action starts with a 1.5 to 2-minute elevator pitch: no slides, no pressure. Just you, your idea, and your voice. You’ll share your concept with the Blitz participants and hear what others are working on too. Whether your idea is a spark or a full-on flame, this is your chance to make your first impression, practice communicating with impact, and get energized for what’s to come.

Come ready to learn, connect, and launch into the weekend with momentum. Blitz starts now.

Day 2: Workshop

Now that you have an idea, it is time to level up! Day 2 is all about action and applying innovation and entrepreneurship concepts and strategies directly to your idea.

Throughout the day, you’ll dive into hands-on sessions designed to help you think critically about your idea: Who is it for? What problem does it solve? How can it grow? You’ll explore key topics like value proposition, customer discovery, and storytelling, and learn how to translate those concepts into a clearer, stronger version of your vision.

You won’t do it alone. Our staff and entrepreneurs in residence (who have been in your shoes!) will be right there with you, offering one-on-one coaching, feedback, and fresh perspective. It’s your opportunity to experiment, refine, and ask the big questions. Day 2 is where ideas start to transform.

Practice Pitch

Blitz isn’t over yet! Now, it is time to take the skills you’ve built and put them to the test. During your Practice Pitch, you will deliver a refined pitch of your idea to a panel of guest judges. Our judge pool includes seasoned entrepreneurs, innovators, and experts ready to give you constructive, actionable feedback.

This isn’t a competition. It is a dress rehearsal with purpose. You’ll get real-time insights on what’s working, what’s unclear, and how to strengthen your delivery for future competitions like the Big Idea Competition.

Whether you’re polishing your story, clarifying your value proposition, or just getting more comfortable presenting in front of others, this session is your chance to practice, ask questions, and walk away with a roadmap for what’s next. It is the final step of Blitz and your springboard into the next stage of your innovation journey.

Important Fall 2026 Dates:

Days, times, and locations for Big Idea Blitz events are subject to change.

  • Sunday, September 13, 11:59 P.M. (virtual) – Application Deadline
  • Friday, September 25, Afternoon (virtual) – Kickoff: Introductions and Team Elevator Pitches
  • Saturday, September 26, All Day (virtual) – Idea-Development Workshop with Big Idea Center Staff and Entrepreneurs in Residence
  • Friday, October 2, Times TBD (virtual, pitch slots to be scheduled during Saturday’s workshop) – Practice Pitches

Eligibility:

  • This program is open to:
    • All University of Pittsburgh students of all levels and disciplines, including those attending branch campuses
    • Pitt postdocs and UPMC residents
  • Ideas/teams must be Pitt-student-founded and Pitt-student led
  • All teams and individuals must come with an existing idea to work on throughout the week

Rules/Guidelines:

All participating teams/ideas in Blitz are required to have at least one team member in attendance at each listed date above. If no team members are present for the Kickoff or Saturday Workshop, the team will not be eligible to present at the Practice Pitch round the following week.

Teams that are considered “no shows” will have their absence noted in their team profile for future programs and/or competitions. A “no show” constitutes a lack of attendance at 25% or more of each day of this program.

All participating teams/ideas will need to come to Day 1 of Big Idea Blitz with a 1.5 to 2-minute elevator pitch (no slides!) prepared to share with the group. Need help forming an elevator pitch? Make an appointment with an entrepreneur in residence!

Looking to build your team for Big Idea Blitz? Use our TeamFinder tool to recruit team members!