DSH Pitch

Overview

The DSH Pitch Competition is a global student pitch competition organized collaboratively by three youth-led organizations: DeltaForge Hacks, NextHorizon, and STEMise. It aims to bring together young innovators from around the world to transform bold ideas into compelling solutions at the intersection of STEM and entrepreneurship. Participants are invited to work individually or in teams to identify a real-world problem and pitch a STEM-driven venture concept. There is no requirement for a working prototype; the focus is on the idea and its potential. Ideas can span various fields, from biotech addressing global health to sustainable engineering or AI platforms reimagining learning, work, or connection. Evaluation will center on creativity, market insight, feasibility, and the strength of the vision presented. This competition provides a platform for ambitious students to present their innovative ideas and demonstrate their entrepreneurial spirit, emphasizing the power of a well-articulated concept over a functional product. Participants can work individually or in teams of up to three people.

What to build

Participants must identify a real-world problem and pitch a STEM-driven venture concept. The pitch should be a bold idea that transforms into a compelling solution at the intersection of STEM and entrepreneurship, focusing on creativity, market insight, feasibility, and the strength of the vision.

Prizes

Key dates

• Submission DeadlineAug 30, 2026 @ 2:45am EDT

Eligibility

Participants must be students aged 13 or older. Companies and professional organizations are excluded from participation. The competition is open to all countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

How to enter

1. Register for the hackathon.
2. Prepare your submission materials: a pitch video, a business pitch deck, and a one-page executive summary/written response.
3. Submit all required materials before the deadline.

Submission requirements

• Pitch Video (3-5 minutes, recommended to go through Pitch Deck and explain solution in detail)
• Business Pitch Deck (PDF, 10 slides max, includes problem, solution, market, and vision)
• One Page Executive Summary / Written Response (PDF, concise overview of venture idea — problem, solution, target market, and impact)

Judging criteria

• Problem & Impact: Does the pitch clearly identify a real, significant problem? How meaningful and scalable is the potential impact?
• Innovation & Creativity: Is the idea original and non-obvious? Does it approach the problem in a fresh or unexpected way? Does it demonstrate creative thinking beyond conventional solutions?
• Feasibility & Market Fit: Is the solution realistically buildable or launchable? Is the target market clearly defined? Does the pitch demonstrate awareness of market competition and differentiation?
• Pitch Quality: Is the idea communicated clearly and compellingly? Is the pitch well-structured and easy to follow? Does the presented demonstrate confidence and passion?

Sponsors & partners

Resources

• Full Rules
• Email Hackathon Manager