Competition Structure
Final Submission
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All deliverables must be submitted by the due date. No exceptions!​
Competition Day 1
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All teams will participate in the poster session.
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All teams will pitch in the placement round.
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Based on placement round performance, judges will place teams in the general track, advanced track or top five for day two.​
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Competition Day 2
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Top 5 competitors will pitch again.
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Advanced Track competitors will pitch again.
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All general track competitors will pitch again.
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Judges will evaluate all second day pitches and assign rewards.
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Only teams in the top 5 will be eligible for first, second and third place prizes.
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Teams not competing in the top 5 will be eligible for all other prizes.
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Team & Project Eligibility
All team members must be degree-seeking University of Wisconsin-Madison students enrolled in the Spring 2026 term. Alumni who graduated from UW-Madison in December 2025 are still eligible to compete.​You must meet the following criteria ​to be eligible for competition:
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Teams can be as small as 1 person with a maximum of 5 people.
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Individuals are only eligible to participate in 1 team at competition.
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Projects are ineligible if they fit any of the following categories:
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Are a part of a course you are currently enrolled in
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Are part of a paid or graded research experience
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Are part of a thesis project
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Are the primary intellectual property of other individuals or groups that are not eligible to participate in the competition (ex. work done for an internship, family business etc.)
Mandatory Event Attendance
In order for a team to maintain eligibility for the competition, the team MUST attend both of the following events which will be hosted this Spring. The Business Model Training is optional and highly recommended.
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Events:
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Intellectual Property Seminar:
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You only need to attend ONE of the two days.
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Business Model Training (optional but highly recommended):​
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Project Review Session: ​
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You only have to sign up to attend ONE of two days.
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Transcend Pitch Competition
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Day 1 and Day 2
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Each team is required to check-in at the events to receive credit for the team. At least one member must attend. All teams are required to stay for the duration of the scheduled event or session. Failure to stay may render your team ineligible for competition.
Mandatory Events
NOTE: Competitors only have to attend to ONE of the two Intellectual Property Seminars and one of the two Project Review Sessions.