Competition Tools & Resources
Clear guidance for students, advisors, and judges in preparing and evaluating e-Fest submissions.
You can save and return at any time.
How e-Fest Works
In-Person Competition
Finalist Teams are invited to compete at e-Fest, a three-day event in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
e-Fest begins each January with an online judging round. Student teams submit a pitch deck and video that are evaluated by a panel of experienced judges (entrepreneurs, academics, and industry experts.) The Top 25 teams advance to compete in person at e-Fest in Minneapolis, where they participate in three days of competition, learning, and networking, and compete for a share of $250,000 in cash prizes.
For full details on the competition format and awards, visit the Competitions page.
For Student Teams & Advisors
Prepare a clear, competitive e-Fest submission
Use these tools to understand what judges are looking for and build a strong pitch deck and video for the online submission round.
What you’ll find:
-
Submission Requirements & Format
What to include in your slide deck and pitch video -
Pitch Deck Template & Guidance
A recommended structure aligned to the judging rubric -
Pitch Video Tips
How to present your idea clearly and confidently -
Judging Criteria & Rubric
How submissions are evaluated in the online round -
Eligibility & Rules
Who can compete and key competition guidelines
Review Official Eligibility, Rules & Judging Criteria
Submit Your Pitch
(You can save and return to your submission at any time.)
For Judges
Evaluate submissions consistently and fairly
These resources provide context for how student teams are guided to structure their submissions and how the e-Fest judging rubric is applied.
What you’ll find:
-
Judging Rubric & Scoring Guidelines
The standardized criteria used across all submissions -
Recommended Pitch Deck Structure
How teams are encouraged to present their ideas -
Video Submission Expectations
What teams are asked to include in their pitch videos -
Common Strengths & Pitfalls
Patterns judges often see across submissions
A Simple Framework for Strong Submissions
This structure can be used to guide both your slide deck and pitch video.
Access Competition Resources
View, download, and share the official tools used to prepare and evaluate e-Fest submissions.
Slide Deck Template
A recommended pitch deck structure aligned with e-Fest judging criteria.
Download Template (PPT)
Video Pitch Tips
Guidance on creating a clear, compelling pitch video for the online round.
Download Tips (PPT)
Advisor Guide
Advisors are encouraged to share this overview with interested students.
Download Now (PDF)
Judging Rubric
The official scoring criteria used by e-Fest judges to evaluate all online submissions.
View Rubric (PDF)
Rubric Guidelines
Additional context and scoring guidance to help ensure consistent and fair evaluations.
View Guidelines (PDF)
Judge Quick Guide
(You can save and return to your submission at any time.)
