How to communicate your big idea in 90 seconds

Sarah Keas and Haley Pavone, winners of the CIE Elevator Pitch Competition sat with Mark and Patrick to talk about the road leading to the competition.

About the Elevator Pitch Competition: 

Hosted each fall, the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s Elevator Pitch Competition allows undergraduate and graduate students to share product ideas, innovative services or a startup plan at any stage of development.

This year the 7th Annual Elevator Pitch Competition took place on Nov. 9 at the Performing Arts Center Pavilion. New this year was the addition of Cuesta College, which submitted their top four student companies. Students across all majors were encouraged to apply. Entries from 50 Cal Poly students were whittled down to the top six, who presented their ideas in a high-pressure, fast-paced, 90-second pitch to the judges, all startup founders.

Cal Poly student, Haley Pavone, the founder, and CEO of PashionFootwear, is developing a convertible high-heel shoe now undergoing research and development in the CIE’s Hatchery program. She was the top pick of a panel of four judges for the $1,000 prize. In addition, she received the $500 Audience Choice award.

Cuesta College student, Sarah Keas, received the $1,000 top prize. Her Breathe Bans proposal offers a new take on a device that provides emergency shots for allergic reactions that are more convenient to carry and use because of its small size and versatile design.