New Venture Pitch Competition
Shark Tank: Vassar Edition
The annual New Ventures Pitch Competition brings together Vassar’s most innovative and entrepreneurial students to showcase their ideas, ventures, and solutions to real-world challenges. This signature event celebrates creativity, problem-solving, and change-making at the intersection of the liberal arts and entrepreneurship.
Event Schedule
All 8 New Ventures will privately pitch for a Round I from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Villard Room. This portion of the event is not public, but we invite you to stop by and support if you know someone presenting.
| 5:00 p.m. | Top 5 Announced Following the private Round I from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m., the Top 5 Ventures selected by the judges will be announced at 5:00 p.m. |
| 5:10 p.m. | Welcome |
| 5:25 p.m. | Opening Remarks |
| 5:30 – 6:20 p.m. | Top 5 Ventures The Top 5 Ventures selected by the judges following the private Round I will pitch in this round. The order in which the ventures pitch will not indicate judges’ rankings. Pitches will be no more than 5 minutes in length, with no more than 5 minutes additionally reserved for questions from the judges following the pitch. |
| 6:20 p.m. | Intermission |
| 6:30 p.m. | Open Session Following the Top 5 venture pitches, all 8 New Ventures will have the opportunity to engage with the audience in an Open Session to network and receive audience “investments.” The venture receiving the highest number of audience “investments” will be awarded the “Most Invested” distinction, a non-cash prize supporting continued venture development. |
| 7:15 p.m. | Awarding of Prizes The Awarding of Prizes will begin at 7:15 p.m. promptly, where the First ($4,500), Second ($2,000), and Third Place ($1,000), and “Most Invested” and “Fan Favorite” will be announced. |
| 7:25 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
This event is sponsored by the Ellen Rudnick ’72 Pitch Competition Fund of the Vassar Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VIE) Program.
This event is open to the public.
Advanced registration requested.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accomodations or information on accessibility should contact the Campus Activities Office, (845) 437-5370.
