The Student Social Enterprise Pitch Award 2026 recognises an individual student or team who has developed a novel enterprise or business idea with a positive social impact. Your idea may be at any stage of development, from idea to market, and may be for a business that sells a physical product or one that offers a service.

The winning video pitch will receive:

• $1,000 cash prize
• promotion of the winning business/project through ACU Co-Lab's community ecosystem.

Key dates

Opening date: 9am AEDT on Wednesday 11 March 2026

Closing date: 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday 24 May 2026

Award winner announced: 5pm AEDT on Friday 11 June 2026.

How to enter

The Student Social Enterprise Pitch Award 2026 is a national competition which is open to ACU students across all our Australian campuses. Entries from domestic and international students enrolled in any course at the university are eligible.

Simply submit a three-minute video outlining your idea.

Tips for preparing your video pitch

The Co-Lab team have compiled some simple tips for recording your video pitch:

• Film your three-minute pitch video in a quiet, well-lit location, with limited background noise.
• Use slides or props to assist in communicating your ideas.
• If using a phone, turn your phone on its side so you are shooting horizontally (landscape mode) rather than vertically (portrait mode).
• Prop your phone up on a flat, level surface and ensure it is supported so it does not fall over while recording.
• Place your phone around the same height as your shoulders, if possible.
• Use natural light, if possible, and ensure the light source is in front of you, rather than behind you to avoid shadows.
• Ensure there are no laptop/computer/television screens in the background.

Submitting your application

All entrants are to record and upload a short video pitch of no longer than three minutes. This video should outline the problem you have identified and your innovative solution.

Submit your entry through the online application form before the closing date of 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday 8 June 2025.

Judging criteria

The winning entry will be decided by a panel of judges appointed at the sole discretion of ACU. It will be selected based on the following criteria, as determined subjectively by the judges:

Presentation skills - 30 points

• Storytelling and passion of delivery
• Professional manner

Identification of the problem - 30 points

• Clarity with which you have outlined the problem

Uniqueness of solution - 30 points

• Identification of any similar services already offered

Audio/video quality - 10 points

• Quality of the audio and video presentation

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