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Rocket Pitch
For W&M Students Ready to Test an Idea
Rocket Pitch Overview
Have an idea worth testing?
Rocket Pitch gives William & Mary undergraduate and graduate students four minutes to put an idea in front of an audience, get feedback, and take the next step. You do not need a business plan. You do not need a finished venture. You need a real problem, a thoughtful solution, and the willingness to put it out there.
Who Can Pitch?
Rocket Pitch is open exclusively to currently enrolled W&M undergraduate and graduate students from any major. Poets. Programmers. Public policy majors. MBAs. Artists. Scientists. If you see a problem worth solving, you belong here.
What Makes a Good Rocket Pitch?
- Problem:
- What real problem are you trying to solve? Is it something you’ve experienced personally? Heard from classmates? Observed on campus or beyond? The best pitches start with something that actually matters.
- Market:
- Who cares about this? How many people are affected? Identify an attractive market. Share market statistics, such as affected population, transaction volumes, and market trends. Highlight the potential for growth.
- Competitive Landscape:
- What already exists? Where are the gaps? Acknowledge competitors and explain what their solutions lack. Showcase how addressing these gaps is not just beneficial for customers but also a unique opportunity for your venture.
- Solution:
- What are you creating? A product? A nonprofit initiative? A research application? A campus improvement? Build upon the foundation and reveal what you're creating. If there's progress, share the evolution and what's coming next. Clever name optional. Clarity required.
- Delivery:
- A compelling pitch is not just about content, it’s about how you present it. Engage your audience with confidence, clarity, and energy. Maintain eye contact, use a strong voice, and incorporate natural gestures. Your delivery should reinforce the impact of your idea and leave a lasting impression.
Ready to Pitch?
Submit a 3-4 minute video practice pitch covering the problem, audience, existing alternatives, and your proposed solution. A simple phone or webcam recording is completely acceptable. Slides are optional.
Every complete submission receives feedback from the Entrepreneurship Hub Mentor Network. The Hub will then contact you with an event invitation, waitlist update, or recommended next step.
Rocket Pitch Faceoff
Regular-season winners advance to the Rocket Pitch Faceoff at Demo Day.
Grand Prize: $1,500
Winners also receive Hub swag and an invitation to an exclusive gathering at the W&M President’s Residence.
Not pitching? Join the audience, vote for your favorite pitch, and see what W&M students are building.
Rocket Pitch Awards Process
If you win funding through Rocket Pitch Faceoff at Demo Day, your award will be processed according to your student status. Enrolled students receive payment through the Department Awards system. Graduating students or those between semesters are paid via the university’s vendor system after registration.