🏆 Come Watch Or Present Your Big Idea at the Code & Coffee Pitch Competition! 🏆
Join us for an exciting afternoon of innovation as early-stage founders pitch their ventures to a live panel of experienced investors and entrepreneurs. If you’d like to pitch, see Pitch Application below.
This event offers a platform for founders to get direct, valuable feedback and a fantastic, low-risk educational experience for audience members interested in entrepreneurship. Whether you're pitching or just watching, it will be a fantastic learning opportunity.
* When: Friday, January 16, 2026 Time: 3:00 PM EST Where: The Pennovation Center Lobby (Stadium Seating Area)
Apply To Pitch Here(https://forms.gle/c2bZGA1bFGC6CbvD9)
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### 🤔 Who is This For?
Aspirational & Early-Stage Founders: This is your platform to pitch your idea, get expert feedback, and make critical connections.
Community Members & Students: Come for an educational experience, network, and see what the Code & Coffee community is building.
* Investors & Entrepreneurs: Discover promising new ventures and share your expertise with the next generation of founders.
### 🎤 Why Attend as an Audience Member?
Learn from the Experts: Watch founders receive direct feedback on their business models, market analysis, and presentation skills from real investors.
Network: Connect with founders, investors, and other community members.
* Have Your Say: You get to help pick the winner! In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by an audience vote.
### 💡 Interested in Pitching?
We will select \~10 presenters to participate. Each presenter will have 3 minutes for their pitch, followed by a 3-5 minute Q&A with the judging panel.
Apply To Pitch Here(https://forms.gle/c2bZGA1bFGC6CbvD9)
What to Pitch: Your 3-minute pitch should cover the problem, your solution/value proposition, the market, your business model, any traction you have, and your team.
The "Ask": Your pitch must end with a clear "ask". This can be for funding, introductions, strategic partnerships, or expert feedback.
Slide Deck: Decks should have 1 title slide and 5-10 content slides. Slides should be simple, visual, and support your narrative.
* No Notes: Notes will not be permitted during the presentation.
### ⚖️ Meet the Tentative Judging Panel
Pitches will be evaluated by a panel of \~4 experienced investors and entrepreneurs. The tentative panel includes:
Jack Weiss: Retired Chairman/CEO of WAM Systems and Wharton MBA Lecturer.
Grace Francisco: Seasoned tech exec (Microsoft, Roblox, MongoDB), co-founder, and strategic angel investor.
Jonathon Beschen: Managing Director of Investments at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Rocco Christino: Managing Director at LBC Small Cap, specializing in small business investing and strategy.
### 🎁 Prizes & Recognition
Exposure through announcements on Code & Coffee's website, social media, and newsletters.
Valuable feedback from experts and learning opportunities.
* We are actively exploring partnerships and prize opportunities for the event.
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### Want to Apply to Pitch?
Apply To Pitch Here(https://forms.gle/c2bZGA1bFGC6CbvD9)
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Pennovation Center, 3401 Grays Ferry Ave, (adjacent to University of Pennsylvania campus), Philadelphia, PA, 19146, us
