The Joan and Chester Luby Pitch Competition is a funding competition brought to UNC by the Joan and Chester Luby Charitable Trust starting in 2024 to support rising student ventures. Annually, the trust provides up to $95,000 to student venture teams focused on inspiring innovation.

1789 Hub powered by Innovate Carolina proudly presents the Joan and Chester Luby Pitch Competition made possible by the Joan and Chester Luby Charitable Trust. Up to $95,000 in cash prizes will be offered to UNC student entrepreneur teams.

Entry Requirements:

  • Entry for the Joan and Chester Luby Grants is by invitation only.
  • At least one member of the competing team needs to be a current UNC undergraduate or graduate student.
  • Eligible teams will have had to participate in at least one of Innovate Carolina’s funding opportunities, including the 1789 Student Venture Fund, ACC InVenture Prize, or been a recipient of funding from the Dreamers Who Do Program for their venture.
  • Students invited to the Joan and Chester Luby Pitch Competition will receive a registration form for in February.

Competition takes place in two rounds:

Round 1

All teams must complete a recorded video pitch (maximum of 5 minutes) and a slide deck to be reviewed by the judges before the live competition.

The slide deck should include:

  • Company Description
  • Product/Service Name and Description and Customer Value Proposition
  • What market are you addressing
  • What problems are you trying to solve (the pain point)
  • What is your unique competitive advantage
  • What are the most important metrics of success in your business model?
  • How does your company make money
  • Competitors
  • Management Team and Advisors

Round 2: The Live Pitch

All teams are expected to pitch live for judges utilizing a shortened pitch deck (maximum of six slides) for between 2:30 – 3 minutes depending on the total number of competing teams.

2024 Joan and Chester Luby Pitch Competition Highlights

From left, Ashish Sagrolikar, Bernard Bell, Melissa Carrier, Alex
Brandwein, and Elaine Bolle.
Group shot of the 2024 winners, Joan & Chester Luby Pitch
Competition

2024 Joan & Chester Luby Pitch Competition winners:

  • WyeZE
  • Impulse Wellness
  • Capito Innovations
  • Algorhythmic Labs
  • Cubicle
  • Classmate
  • Doorstep AI
  • IRI-SYS
  • Take 10
  • Walk with Me
  • Plant Parenthood

Please contact Anise Robinson, Student Engagement and Programs Manager at anise.robinson@unc.edu for any questions or inquiries.