The 2021 Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition – where Cal State San Bernardino students will have the opportunity to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams by presenting their business venture ideas to a panel of investors and entrepreneurs for cash prizes – is accepting submissions.

The competition, held by CSUSB’s Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration, is accepting entries until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2.

Up to 15 student-entrepreneurs will be chosen as semi-finalists from the initial submissions. The semi-finalists will receive mentoring and coaching in preparation for making a 90-second pitch to the panel of investors at the semi-finals event on Nov. 3. Each fast pitch will be judged on the quality of the presentation and investment potential.

At the Nov. 3 event, five finalists will be chosen to make a final pitch at the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards, live and in-person at the Fox Theater Riverside, on Nov. 10. At that time, cash prizes will be awarded – the top award going for $4,000.

In order to enter the Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition, students must adhere to the following criteria:

  • All students must currently be enrolled at Cal State San Bernardino at the undergraduate or graduate level.
  • All students will pitch proposed potential business ideas or current businesses that have been in operation for less than one year.
  • All submitted materials must be the original work of the student.

Enter the competition in three easy steps:

  1. Students can visit the Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition entry form.
  2. Provide their contact information and Coyote ID.
  3. Describe their potential business idea in 250 words or less (multiple idea entries are highly encouraged).

The students and ideas chosen to move on to the semi-finalist competition will be notified by Oct. 4.

The Fast Pitch Review Committee reserves the right to reject any business idea for the following reasons:

  • Deemed to be in violation of the CSUSB Code of Ethics.
  • Violates any local, state, or national law.
  • Appears to be pornographic in nature.

To learn more, visit the Fast Pitch Competition website.

For more information about the competition or entry process, contact Stacey Allis at (909) 537-3217 or email stacey.allis@csusb.edu.

Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch 2021 flier