Ventures

UQ-Latin American Colloquium Pitch Competition

Advancing Latin American and Australian relations through Solidarity and Partnerships for Recovery. 

We are looking for startups and social enterprises who are building businesses that will create a positive impact in Australia and Latin America. The 2021 Latin American Colloquium (LAC) theme is Solidarity and Partnerships for Recovery. 

To support this theme, LAC 2021 will include a pitch competition open to the wider community. 

We welcome all interested startups and social enterprises to submit a 90-second pitch outlining their organisation or business, including products, processes or services, and how they would build relationships with Latin America to create a positive impact.

Applications will open soon.

The aim of the pitch competition is to increase awareness and understanding of the partnership opportunities between Australia and Latin America, and to provide partnership opportunities for Australian startups and social enterprises interested in working with, and expanding into, Latin America.

Prizes 

  • the opportunity to pitch a proposal at the Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC) dinner on 14 October 2021;
  • AU$3000 prize;
  • UQ-ALABC trophy; and 
  • a funded trip to Canberra to meet with Latin American Ambassadors/Chargé d'Affaires and build connections/relationships  
    • The trip will include two days of accommodation and flights to and from Canberra

Background to the Latin American Colloquium 

This is the 14th year that UQ has hosted the Latin American Colloquium. Each year, the University brings Ambassadors, industry, and government heads together to showcase Queensland's engagement with the diverse regions of Latin America. 

Latin America has 21 countries with a population of almost 600 million people, predicted to reach 800 million by 2050. The region's middle class has experienced significant growth throughout the past decade to now represent one-third of the population.

According to Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), Latin America provides trade growth and potential in:

  • mining
  • food and agribusiness
  • infrastructure
  • education and training.

Mid-term opportunities also include energy production, higher education, knowledge services, financial services, environmental services, biofuels, and community engagement.

Social entrepreneurs may extend products/services or support that contribute to greater economic inclusion for vulnerable groups in Latin America.

To be eligible to enter the pitch competition, entrants must:

  • demonstrate to the promoter’s reasonable satisfaction that you are a startup or social enterprise organisation based in Australia with an Australian Business Number (ABN); 
  • be at least 18 years at the time of the competition (for individuals only);
  • have no more than 20 employees (full time equivalent);
  • have developed a product, process or service (which may be in prototype stage), regardless of whether or not that product, process or service is currently offered for sale;
  • demonstrate to the promoter’s reasonable satisfaction that you have current experience in or plan to work or expand into Latin America; and
  • agree to send at least one person to attend and pitch in person at the Latin America Colloquium being held in Brisbane at the St Lucia campus of the Promoter from 1:30 to 6 pm on 13 October 2021 (the Colloquium).

Applications will open soon.

Online application - Round 1

Applications will consist of a short application form plus the submission of a video pitch of no longer than 90 seconds.

The 90-second pitch should outline the organisation/business, the products, process or service, and the opportunity to build relationships with Latin America that create a positive impact.

Pitch criteria

The video and application will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Impact (40%)
    • Does the product, process or service address an identified and significant need or market in Latin America?
  • Organisational readiness (20%)
    • Is there a clear plan to build partnerships and opportunities and does the applicant have the required skills to deliver?
  • Innovation (40%)
    • Is the product, process or service innovative and new?

Pitch competition - Round 2

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the final pitch event held at the LAC in Brisbane on Wednesday 13 October 2021.  Funding support to enable travel by regional and interstate applicants will be available (one person per organisation). The winner of the pitch competition will be announced at the LAC event.

Winners will have the chance to pitch to investors at the Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC) dinner Thursday 14 October 2021 evening to win an AU$3000 cash prize and a trophy. 

Pitch criteria

The final 3 minute pitches followed by a Q&A will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Impact (30%)
    • Does the product, process or service address an identified and significant need or market in Latin America?
    • Is there a clear plan to build partnerships and opportunities and does the applicant have the required skills to deliver?
  • Innovation (30%)
    • Is the product, process or service innovative and new?
    • Could the product, process or service trigger other innovation processes? 
  • Performance (20%)
    • Is the presentation well structured? Does it clearly explain the concept?
    • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their product/service?
    • Was the PowerPoint presentation clear, legible and concise?
  • Audience Vote (20%)
    • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the product/service to the audience?
    • Did the speech make the audience want to know more?
    • Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?

Rules 

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum.
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.

Additional Notes:

  • Dress code: Business attire
  • If unable to attend the pitch competition on Wednesday 14 October then next eligible contestant will be invited
  • Palm cards are allowed but are not desirable

Below are the key dates for the UQ-Latin American Colloquium:

  • Applications open - Wednesday 8 September 2021
  • Applications close - Monday 27 September 2021, 12pm (midday) 
  • Finalist announced - Wednesday 29 September 2021, 5pm 
  • Finalist individual meetings - Wednesday 6 October 2021, individual times to be arranged separately 
  • UQ-Latin American Colloquium - Wednesday 13 October 2021, 1.30 - 6pm 
  • ALABC dinner for the winner to present pitch - Thursday 14 October 2021