IDEA² Pitch Applications are Open for Submissions

IDEA² Pitch Competition

Innovation. Development. Entrepreneurship. Access.
Pitch Your Ideas. Win Cash Prizes. Connect with Industry Leaders.
iTECH Summit Twin Falls | June 16-17, 2026 | College of Southern Idaho

A Fast-Paced Pitch Showcase

IDEA² Pitch is a high-energy pitch competition where 30 entrepreneurs present their business ideas to industry leaders, investors, and ecosystem partners in just 60 seconds with one slide.

Open to all aspiring entrepreneurs who are actively building businesses. From ideation to prototype to launched ventures—all stages welcome.

💰 Cash Prizes

1st Place
$2,000
2nd Place
$1,000
3rd Place
$500
+ Two Audience Choice Prizes
Regional awards may also be available

🎯 Competition Format

30 Entrepreneurs

Selected participants from across Eastern Idaho

60 Second Pitch

Fast, focused, and high-energy presentations

1 Slide Maximum

Concise visual to support your pitch

Judge Networking

Engage directly with judges to increase your scores

📅 Participant Schedule

🎭 Optional Pre-Event | Tuesday, June 16 — VIP Fireside Chat Night

Participants are invited (not required) to attend:

VIP Fireside Chat Night at the Herrett Center — includes a dry run of show opportunity for pitch participants.

Dry Run of Show
See the stage and venue, get comfortable with the setup, practice your pitch environment
VIP Registration & Networking Reception
Network with industry leaders, sponsors, and fellow entrepreneurs in an intimate setting at the Herrett Center
Fireside Chat: Building What’s Next — Darin Moon, Redox Bio Nutrients
A conversation on entrepreneurship and emerging technology
The Responsibility Behind Idaho’s Technology Future
Moderated by Janeale, Desert Creative Group

🏆 Summit Day | Wednesday, June 17

⚠️ CHECK-IN REQUIRED (No Later Than 8:30 AM)
MANDATORY: All participants must check in before the program begins
Registration, Networking & Innovation Expo
Connect with exhibitors, sponsors, and partners while exploring emerging technologies
Keynote: The Tsunami of AI — Matthew Martinez-Klinger, Melaleuca
Opening keynote on the accelerating impact of AI across industries and communities
Workforce Panel: Meet the Boss LIVE — The Future of Work
Leadership panel on how AI and evolving expectations are reshaping industries and hiring
🎤 PITCH COMPETITION BEGINS
30 entrepreneurs × 60 seconds × 1 slide. Fast, fun, and high-energy!
🤝 Judge Networking Clusters & Networking Lunch
Engage directly with industry judges, answer questions, receive feedback, and increase your scores. Lunch provided.
Featured Speaker: Responsible Innovation — Brad Frazer, Hawley Troxell
AI governance, intellectual property, and organizational risk management
Panel: AI Readiness — From Awareness to Action
Moderated by Bryan Matsuoka, SBDC — practical guidance on beginning AI adoption
Panel: Idaho Innovators You should know
Regional entrepreneurs share real-world lessons on using AI for growth
Panel: Connected Communities — Utilities, Broadband & Emerging Technology
Moderated by Steven Cook, Trueleap
Closing Speaker: Mariann Griffith — Building What’s Next
Entrepreneurship, reinvention, and community leadership in the Magic Valley
🏆 IDEA² Pitch Awards & Closing Remarks
Winner announcement and closing. All participants must stay for awards.

✨ What to Expect

  • Pre-Event Dry Run (Optional): Get comfortable with the stage, venue, and pitch environment before the big day
  • Fast-Paced Competition: 30 pitches in rapid succession—energy will be high!
  • Direct Judge Engagement: After pitching, you'll network directly with judges who can increase your scores based on your answers and business potential
  • Learning Opportunities: Attend breakout sessions designed for entrepreneurs at all stages
  • Full Day Commitment: Plan to be present from 8:30 AM through the 4:00 PM awards ceremony
  • Networking: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors, and Idaho's technology ecosystem

Ready to Pitch Your Idea?

Apply Now

🎯 Why Judge IDEA² Pitch?

As a judge, you'll play a critical role in identifying and supporting Idaho's next generation of entrepreneurs. Your feedback, expertise, and engagement directly impact student success and help strengthen Idaho's innovation pipeline.

Discover Talent

Identify promising entrepreneurs and innovative ideas early

Give Back

Mentor and support the next generation of business leaders

Network

Connect with fellow industry leaders and investors

Shape the Future

Influence Idaho's entrepreneurship ecosystem

📅 Judge Schedule

🎭 Optional Pre-Event | Tuesday, June 16 — VIP Fireside Chat Night

Judges are invited (not required) to attend:

VIP Fireside Chat Night at the Herrett Center — network with sponsors, stakeholders, and IDEA² Pitch participants

VIP Registration & Networking Reception (Optional)
Network with sponsors, stakeholders, fellow judges, and pitch participants at the Herrett Center
Fireside Chat & Executive Panel (Optional)
Attend the evening programming including the Darin Moon fireside chat and AI Adoption executive panel

🏆 Summit Day | Wednesday, June 17

⚠️ JUDGE CHECK-IN REQUIRED (No Later Than 8:30 AM)
MANDATORY: All judges must check in before the program begins for orientation and scoring instructions
Morning Programming (Optional to Attend)
Judges are welcome to attend: Keynote (Matthew Martinez-Klinger, Melaleuca) and Workforce Panel: Meet the Boss LIVE
🎤 PITCH COMPETITION
Evaluate 30 entrepreneurs presenting 60-second pitches with one slide. Score via app or scoring cards.
🤝 JUDGE NETWORKING CLUSTERS
PRIMARY JUDGING RESPONSIBILITY: Engage with entrepreneurs in small group rotations. Ask questions, provide feedback, and adjust scores based on their responses and business potential. This is where your expertise makes the biggest impact!
🍽️ Lunch & Networking
Provided lunch — continue conversations with entrepreneurs, fellow judges, and sponsors
✅ JUDGING DUTIES COMPLETE
Your formal judging responsibilities conclude following lunch
Judges are invited to stay for the afternoon program:

• Brad Frazer: Responsible Innovation — Navigating AI, Risk & Opportunity
• Panel: AI Readiness: From Awareness to Action
• Panel: Built Here — Entrepreneurs Using AI to Scale Smarter
• Panel: Connected Communities — Utilities, Broadband & Emerging Technology
• Closing Speaker: Mariann Griffith — Building What’s Next
• IDEA² Pitch Awards & Closing Remarks

📋 Judge Responsibilities

Initial Pitch Evaluation

Watch and score 30 rapid-fire pitches (60 seconds each, 1 slide). Evaluate based on:

  • Clarity of business concept and value proposition
  • Market opportunity and problem being solved
  • Presentation quality and communication skills
  • Feasibility and potential for success

Networking Cluster Engagement

This is the most critical component: After the rapid pitches, you'll engage with entrepreneurs in small networking clusters. This allows you to:

  • Ask deeper questions about their business model and strategy
  • Provide constructive feedback and mentorship
  • Adjust initial scores based on their ability to defend and articulate their vision
  • Help entrepreneurs refine their thinking through meaningful dialogue

Time Commitment

Core judging: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM (approximately 4.5 hours)
Optional: Stay for lunch, awards ceremony, and celebration through 4:00 PM

Join Us as a Judge

Help shape Idaho's entrepreneurship future

Express Interest

Questions?

Diane Temple
President & CEO, Idaho Technology Council
📧 [email protected]