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SMERD Pitch Competition
Also known as: UNew Haven SMERD
University of New Haven · West Haven, CT
Annual student pitch competition run in partnership with Entrepreneurship Club and Pompea College of Business. Students pitch ideas, develop business plans, receive mentoring, and compete for funding to advance ventures.
Quick fit check
- Offers direct funding
- No equity required
- Currently active
- Partially verified
Key numbers
Funding range
—
Cash Award, Non Dilutive
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2025-11-01
Medium confidence
Application and Timing
Annual cycle. Workshops offered ahead of competition (SMERD Workshops series). 2025 SMERD Pitch Finale held November 2025.
Participants
Open to UNewHaven students (all majors) with venture ideas. Tied to Entrepreneurship Club and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program.
Funding and Equity
Cash prizes for top teams. Exact amounts vary by year and not always published. Perks include prize money, mentorship, and exposure. Non-dilutive. No equity.
Recent Activity
- 2023: "Inspires Innovation and Entrepreneurship" write-up
- 2024: Described as annual event showcasing entrepreneurial spirit
- 2025: "Students Turn Ideas into Impact at 2025 SMERD Pitch Competition"
- 2025: SMERD Pitch Finale and prep workshops listed on events calendar
Known Startups or Winners
No centralized list published. Winners highlighted in individual news stories.
Verification Gaps
- Exact prize amounts not consistently published
- Winner startup outcomes not tracked centrally
- Number of participants per year not disclosed
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
UNewHaven news articles from 2023, 2024, 2025.[1][2][3] Campus events calendar.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting SMERD Pitch Competition at University of New Haven.
1 source
