2026 Riverside County Fast Pitch Competition: Riverside Regionals
Applications Are Now Open!
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 20th, 2026.
Get the chance to win $2,500 at our Riverside Regional Fast Pitch Competition and move onto the Startup World Cup Riverside County Finale for a chance to win even more!
We invite local Riverside-based startups to participate in the Riverside Regional Fast Pitch Competition on April 16th, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Riverside ExCITE for a chance to secure a spot at the Riverside County Innovation Month Pitch Finale. Hosted by the Office of Technology Partnerships and EPIC SBDC, this event is part of a dynamic celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship in Riverside County, California, aimed at amplifying the voices of startups and entrepreneurs in our community. Additionally, the Riverside County winner will advance to the 2026 Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco on October 15th, 2026, to compete for a $1 million investment prize!
The Riverside County Fast Pitch Competition is a highlight of Riverside County Innovation Month, offering a platform for startups and entrepreneurs to present their groundbreaking ideas in a 4-minute pitch. This year, the competition will consist of four regional events: Coachella Valley, Southwest Regional (in Murrieta), Riverside Regional (at ExCITE Riverside), and Crucible.
This event is open to everyone in the community. The more people who join us, the more energy in the room. Join us for a night of networking, pitches, and innovations!
2025 Riverside Regional Fast Pitch Winners: Glid, Super Foam, and Rareflora
The Chance to Win An Investment Prize of $1 Million
The first prize winner will win $2,500 and move onto the Riverside County Innovation Month Pitch Finale, which will award even more in cash prizes.
The winner of the Riverside County Innovation Month Pitch Finale will move on to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco in Fall 2026 for the chance to win an investment prize of $1 million and the opportunity to pitch to over 300 global investors.
Participation & Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the Riverside Regional Fast Pitch Event on April 16th, 2026, eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Have a startup with a verifiable business presence in Riverside.
- Possess a minimal viable product, with sales or early investment.
- Submit an application to pitch in the Riverside Regional Fast Pitch.
- Deliver a 4-minute pitch presentation, accompanied by a pitch deck.
- Be prepared for a 3-minute Q&A session with the judges.
- Entries will be screened by a panel of judges to determine eligibility.
- Startups cannot enter more than one regional fast pitch competition during Innovation Month and should present in the nearest regional pitch competition to their business.
*Note: Previous county-wide winners are not eligible to compete.
Qualifying for the Startup World Cup Riverside County Finale
As the Riverside Regional winner, you must still qualify for the Riverside County Innovation Month Pitch Finale on April 29, 2026. Candidates must meet the following additional requirements:
- Complete at least one hour of training with UCR’s EPIC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) prior to the Startup World Cup Riverside County Finale.
- Pitch a technology-focused or scalable business concept.
- Qualify under a Regional Fast Pitch or be nominated by EPIC SBDC.
- Deliver a 4-minute Fast Pitch presentation, followed by a 3-minute Q&A session.
- Provide a pitch deck prior to the event.
Preparing for Your 4-Minute Fast Pitch Presentation
Here are some key tips to help you prepare for your Fast Pitch presentation. NOTE: You may not answer or address all of these points – this is meant only as a guide.
- Ensure it stays under 4 minutes.
- Have FUN and be passionate about your idea or product!
- Start with a “hook” – i.e., Get the attention of the listener.
- State the problem (pain/need) – from the point of view of your potential customers.
- How do you address the problem and what is your “secret sauce?”
- What is your Competitive Advantage? (How are you going to do it better, cheaper or faster, etc.?
- Is it disruptive?
- State your name, title, and company name. The title of “Founder” may be a good choice where you do not have any prior experience.
- Briefly tell what your company does.
- How big is the market and is your business scalable?
- How many people have this problem and would be willing to buy your product or service?
- How do you make money? What is your go to market strategy?
- Have you achieved a proof of concept?
- Who “believes in you” – mention any successes you have had so far that can bring credibility to your pitch?
- What is the revenue potential in terms of sales? You may also mention how much of the market you intend to capture (e.g., 5% in 3 years).
- The team is critical. Very briefly tell us about management team, any advisors and especially yourself.
- What have you already put into your venture in terms of money and sweat equity? How much money do you need and what do you need it for? Will you need additional funding?
- Close strong! Summarize how you have the complete “package.” Big problem, great solution (market ready), large potential market, outstanding management team, revenue generating customers with great margins.
Judging
Following the 4-minute presentations and 3-minute Q&A sessions, the judges will retire to determine the winners. The first-place winner will be invited to compete for the grand prize at the Startup World Cup Riverside County Finale, which will be held in Riverside on April 29th, 2026.
The final presentation must include a PowerPoint, due Monday, April 13th, 2026 by 5:00PM PST.
Note: Only scalable startups that met the criteria for the Riverside County Innovation Month Pitch Finale may be passed from the regional pitch competition to the finale.
Criteria Score
There are 8 different criteria, with each being given a 1-10 score.
- Idea: Is the idea original/Is it a new concept?
- Solving Real Problems: Is the problem a real pain point? How well does the product solve the pain point?
- Market Needs: Is the size of the market justifiable? Who is the target market?
- Traction: How much revenue/traction does the company have? How quickly has the company been growing?
- Competitive Advantage: What advantage does the startup have over its competitors? How high is the barrier of entry?
- Business Plan: Does the company have a strong revenue generation plan? Is the business scalable?
- Team: How strong is the team? Does the team have the right background or work experience?
- Presentation: How was the overall pitch? How effective was the video?
About Riverside County Innovation Month
Riverside County Innovation Month is an annual extravaganza dedicated to showcasing the ingenuity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of our local businesses and individuals. Taking place throughout April, this month-long celebration features a diverse array of activities, workshops, and events focused on innovation.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply curious about the latest innovations in Riverside County, we invite you to join us in celebrating creativity, growth, and progress during Riverside County Innovation Month.
For more information and event schedules, please visit the Riverside County Innovation website.
Questions? Contact Us
If you have any questions or need further information about the Fast Pitch Competition or Riverside County Innovation Month, please don't hesitate to reach out to us:
Jennifer Yturralde Director, Outreach & Incubation
jenyt@ucr.edu
Maricela Covarrubias Argueta Manager, ExCITE
maricela.covarrubiasargueta@ucr.edu
The 2026 Riverside Regionals is sponsored by:
The 2026 Riverside Regionals is hosted in part by:
