The Palmetto Pitch Competition (formerly SC Innovates) officially invites Clemson students to participate in the 6th annual statewide pitch competition! Below you’ll find important dates, participation details, and links to help you get involved.
Last year, we had 72 applications and 12 colleges and universities participated—and this year we’re aiming even higher! We’re especially excited to host the finals event live at Clemson University on November 13, 2025, at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad.
📅 Key Dates
Applications open: August 1, 2025
Application deadline: October 3, 2025
Top 25 teams notified: October 10, 2025
Top 25 Zoom pitch round: October 20–24, 2025
Finalists notified: November 1, 2025
Finals at Clemson University: November 13, 2025
📝 Participation & Application Details
To complete your application:
- Fill out this form
- Email a 5-slide pitch deck and a 90-second YouTube video to lltribb@clemson.edu
Dr. Trudell will confirm receipt. - All materials are due by October 3, 2025.
🎤 Top 25 Round
Approximately 25 teams will be selected from the applications to advance to the Zoom pitch round.
Teams will select a presentation slot between October 20–24.
Finalists will be notified by November 1.
🏆 Finals at Clemson University – November 13, 2025
The one-day finals event at Clemson will feature:
- Keynote speakers
- Networking with investors and entrepreneurs
- Live pitches from 7–10 top teams
- A celebratory awards ceremony
Light snacks and lunch will be provided for all attendees.
📚 Resources
SC Innovates statewide pitch competition November 14th – build a team and business idea and apply by October 4th. Advance through the Zoom round Oct 21-28 and make it to finals. Attend finals in Columbia on November 14th and have the chance to win up to $5,000 in prize money.
The complete SC Innovates handbook is available here. It includes rubrics for the competition and details about the one-day event November 14th in Columbia.
Last year’s results
- 1st Place ($1700 cash prize & Start Up boot camp with Revyrie) – “Bluuzone Bottles” by Julia Babun from North Greenville University.
- 2nd Place ($800 cash prize & 3 coaching sessions with mentors) – “HemoFlow” by Adam Neil from Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business at Clemson University
- 3rd Place ($500 cash prize) – “ClimaPot” by Jackson Williams, Helina Brown, & Max Kudlov from College of Charleston
- Fan Favorite Vote ($200 case prize) – “Flex Flow” by Ella Hause, Jessica Kicza, Sydney Lundeen, and Lauren Murphy from Clemson University College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
🙋 We Need You!
We are still looking for:
- Judges for all three rounds
- Sponsors for additional prizes
- Committee members to help shape this year’s success
Interested in helping? Email Dr. Lori Trudell (lltribb@clemson.edu) or Ms. Cynthia Villar (Cynthia.villar@ciu.edu) and let us know how you’d like to be involved!
Thanks for supporting student innovation in South Carolina!
