SnowDown
Pitch Competition
2026
$12,000 IN PRIZES
The SnowDown Pitch Competition is open to all Snow College students! ​
​
Win Cash in Three Ways!
Live Pitch Competition - $1,500 (multiple winners)
-
Apply at the link above and submit a three slide Pitch Deck for the chance to fund your business!
-
A committee of judges will select the Top Ten teams to compete in the live pitch on Thursday, April 9th
​​
Video Voting - $1,000
-
In addition to the application and pitch deck, each team can also choose to submit a two-minute video as an opportunity to set your team and your idea apart. The video should be persuasive, help the public understand your idea, and be an advertisement for your company.
-
Find more requirements for the video submission HERE
-
This is completely OPTIONAL, NOT REQUIRED but is a fun and creative chance to win extra cash.
​
Student Showcase - $1,000
-
All student competitors also have the opportunity to present their idea at the Student Showcase on Wednesday, April 8th, from 12:30-1:20.
-
Teams will set up a table (location TBD) where they can display and present their business to their fellow students
​​​
Rules and Requirements
-
Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on March 26th, 2026​​
​
-
This is an early-stage business competition, which includes businesses that are still in the idea phase. Businesses with revenue must not have earned more than $25,000 the prior year.
​
-
This competition is open to all students attending Snow College regardless of major
​
-
If you have been a previous winner of SnowDown or Opportunity Quest, you are not eligible to compete
​
-
Applicants must be available for the live pitch competition on April 9th 2026. No Remote participation will be allowed.
​
-
Individuals involved in the administration of the competition and judges are also disallowed from participating. The immediate family of individuals involved in the competition may participate but are ineligible to receive cash prizes. ​​
​
-
Applicants may enter individually or in groups, but only one entry per person. No person may participate in the presentation of more than one business.
​
-
Entries must describe a business that may be lawfully operated in the United States.
​
-
Entries must be the original work of the entrant, must not infringe any third-party rights, and may not in any other way violate applicable laws and regulations.
​
-
Proprietary concepts and intellectual property may be protected by a provisional patent or copyright, should the contestant desire. Contestants in this contest will not be penalized for withholding key concepts or intellectual property associated with their business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pitch Competition?​
The SnowDown Pitch Competition is a fast‑paced event where entrepreneurs briefly present their business idea to a panel of judges for feedback and the chance to win funding for their "next steps." It is not a full presentation and not a Shark Tank–style interrogation — it’s a short, structured opportunity to explain your idea, show that people want it, and share what you need next.
Participants are evaluated on the clarity of their idea, evidence of market interest, and how well they answer questions about their business.
​
​​
How Does the Competition Work?​​
-
Application and Pitch Deck
-
-
Fill out the application by clicking APPLY HERE at the top of the page
-
​Submit a presentation containing up to three slides covering the problem your business is solving, your solution and customer, your market validation and competitors, and your future plans and "ask".
-
The ask should NOT exceed $1,500, and should cover what you need in order to take the next step of your business
-
Check out these Pitch Deck Examples to help you craft your own! You don't have to copy them; we want to see your own creative work!
-
-
Selection
-
​Judges review applications and select ten finalists to pitch live.
-
-
Live pitch
-
Selected entrepreneurs give a 90‑second pitch in front of judges and an audience.
-
-
Q&A
-
Judges ask 2 minutes of questions about your idea, traction, and next steps.​​​
-
​
​​
Is This Right for Me?
This competition is a good fit if:
-
You have an early‑stage business and can clearly explain the problem and solution.
-
You’ve talked to customers, made early sales, tested interest, or gathered feedback (even informally).
-
You want feedback from experienced judges and exposure for your idea.​
You do not need:
-
A fully launched or perfected business.
-
A long business plan or detailed financial projections.
-
Fancy slides or polished branding.
​
​​​
What This is Not:
-
Not a long presentation
-
Not about having perfect answers
-
This competition is about clarity, validation, and communication — not perfection.
​
Ready to Apply?
If you can explain your idea, show why it matters, and share what you need next, you’re ready to pitch.
Video Voting Requirements
​​​​​
​
All teams that submit a presentation may submit a two-minute (max) video to compete for the $1,000 "People's Choice" award. There is a section on the application form to submit the link. The deadline for video submission is Thursday, March 26th, 2026, at 11:59 pm MDT.
Purpose
Videos will give an opportunity to set your team and your idea apart. The two-minute videos should be persuasive and help the public understand your idea and be an advertisement for your company. Besides the time constraint, there are no set criteria for what to include in your video. Teams should decide what ideas are most important to show.
​
You could use your video to:
-
Clearly demonstrate and explain the product or service
-
Give a personal “elevator pitch” for your idea
-
Show your extreme passion for your idea
-
Let your creativity, your personality, and/or the “personality” of your idea shine through
​
Format
Videos must be uploaded to YouTube and set as “public” so they can be shared on the GRIT Center YouTube channel and SnowDown voting page. Starting on April 2nd, the public will be able to view and vote for their favorite video. The video with the most votes at 11:59 pm April 8th will win the $1,000 “People’s Choice” video award. The winner will be announced during the Final Round on Thursday, April 9th.
​
​​
Rules
Follow these simple guidelines when creating your video:
-
Videos MUST NOT be longer than 2 minutes in length. Videos longer than 2 minutes will be disqualified.
-
Keep it professional. No inappropriate sounds, language, or images. Videos containing content deemed inappropriate by the Snow College SnowDown staff will result in disqualification.
-
Videos must be your own work. Any footage used from other videos or sources must be cited. Videos that violate copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property or are not primarily the creation of the student team will be disqualified.
Resources
Not sure where to start? Check out some of the resources our team has found the most valuable! And the best part? They're all totally FREE!
Check out these Pitch Deck Examples to help you craft your own! You don't have to copy them; we want to see your own creative work!
​​
A wealth of knowledge awaits with Utah SBDC's Entrepreneur Academy. Find information on forming your business, financing, marketing, and more!
​
Is Entrepreneurship for you? This article asserts that "Entrepreneurial Thinking Applies to All Careers"
Break down your business in a simple, visual way with a Lean Canvas. Here is a tutorial from Ash Maurya, the creator of the Lean Canvas model. Create your own free lean canvas with Canvanizer. For more lean canvas examples and education, check out Tech Stars.
​
Hear from creative minds who are making a living through art and craftsmanship with the Infosys Foundation USA: #WhyIMake
​
Turn your perspective on business inside-out with Simon Sinek as he explains his "Golden Circle" method.
​
Find skills-based training, financial resources, and other trainings with SkillPointe.
Go through step-by-step workshops for a variety of Business Topics with Verizon Small Business Digital