Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

iBEST Symposium Power Pitch Competition

The Biomedical Zone (BMZ) is sponsoring the iBEST Symposium Power Pitch Competition to celebrate the research excellence, innovation and social impact of the researcher community. This is an opportunity for researchers and trainees at iBEST, Unity Health Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to showcase their innovative research for a chance to win up to $10,000.

Two (2) cash prizes of $5,000 and one (1) cash prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the top three (3) pitches at the judges discretion.

The annual iBEST Symposium is hosted by the Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST) (external link) , a collaborative effort between Toronto Metropolitan University and St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto (external link) . This event includes a day of insightful presentations, engaging discussions and networking opportunities.

iBEST_Power_Pitch_Website_Image - 1

Eligibility

  • Open to all undergraduate student, master student, and PhD student and candidate researchers at iBEST and/or Toronto Metropolitan University and/or Unity Health Toronto. 
  • Applicants are not required to be an iBEST member, but must be directly affiliated with TMU and/or Unity Health Toronto.
  • Research must be within the life sciences.
  • Applicants must apply individually. Team submissions are not accepted.

How To Apply

Submission Requirements:

  1. Pitch video
    • The Pitch Video must be a maximum of 2 minutes. There is no minimum length.
    • The video must be submitted through the Google Form (external link)  using a link to Google Drive or YouTube. Ensure you update your video settings to allow anyone with the link to view. 
    • The video can include the following forms of imagery: (1) images, (2) videos, (3) slides, (4) the applicant speaking to the camera. 
    • The video must include the applicant speaking, including narration and/or speaking directly to the camera. 
    • The video cannot be fully AI generated, but you may use AI tools to support your creation process.
  2. Executive summary
    • The Executive Summary must be maximum 2 pages in length. There is no minimum length.
    • Use 11 point Arial font, standard 1-inch page margins, 8.5”x11” page size, double spaced. 
    • Must be submitted through the Google Form (external link) .

Applications that do not meet the requirements above are subject to disqualification at the discretion of the Biomedical Zone.

Submit your application through the Google form (external link)  using your TMU or Unity Health Toronto email address no later than Sunday April 27th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. 

Applications submitted after this date and/or using other methods of submission, and/or other email addresses, will not be accepted.

The BMZ is hosting workshops to help Applicants create an effective Pitch Video. See more information below.

Evaluation Guidelines

All applications will be evaluated according to the rubric below by an appointed committee composed of seasoned multidisciplinary experts who will select the applicants that will advance to the final Power Pitch Competition. 

  Criteria Score
Research Description & Novelty
  • Clearly describe your research and what makes it novel and innovative.
  • Identify the unique contribution and any social impact your research makes to the field.
 10

Problem Understanding
  • Define the specific problem or market opportunity your research addresses.
  • Explain the root cause(s) of the problem, not just the symptoms, and the severity of the problem.
 10

Solution Effectiveness
  • Describe the solution you envision to address the root cause of the problem and how your research fits into this solution.
  • Provide evidence or reasoning that supports the feasibility and effectiveness of your solution.
 10

Unique Value Proposition & Impact
  • Explain the distinct and meaningful benefits of your solution, and how it provides tangible improvements and social impact over existing approaches.
  • Quantify the impact if possible.
 10

Market & Business Model
  • Outline potential industries or sectors that could adopt your research.
  • Define the users who benefit from your innovation and the paying customers.
  • Outline how you will generate revenue or how you can sustain your offering over time.
 10

Alternatives & Competition
  • Demonstrate awareness of existing solutions, including direct and indirect alternatives, and how your solution differs from and improves upon existing alternatives and or creates social impact.
  • Identify your competitive advantage and unique selling point, and how it can be sustained over time.
 10

Pitch Video Preparation Workshops

iBEST_Power_Pitch_Workshop_500_500 - Research_Pitch

This virtual workshop is designed to guide iBEST Symposium Power Pitch applicants in crafting a compelling pitch, including storytelling, articulating the problem with data-driven insights, defining the unique value proposition.

Register  (external link, opens in new window) 
iBEST_Power_Pitch_Workshop_500_500 - Pitch_Video

This virtual workshop is designed to guide iBEST Symposium Power Pitch Applicants researchers through the process of creating a compelling and professional pitch video for the application.

Register  (external link, opens in new window) 

Application Support

Advisors are available for application support. To arrange this, please contact Stephanie in the BMZ at stephanie.sim@torontomu.ca with the following information:

  • Current application progress. What have you completed so far?
  • Current roadblocks and challenges.
  • Any specific questions you have.

Schedule

Activity Date & Time
Attend application preparation workshops

April 4th, 2025 at 2:00-3:00 PM EST - How To Pitch Your Research (external link, opens in new window) 

April 11th, 2025 at 2:00-3:00 PM EST - How To Create a Pitch Video (external link, opens in new window) 
Application submission deadline

Sunday April 27th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST - Google Form (external link, opens in new window) 
Application status update Wednesday May 7th, 2025
Power Pitch Competition Day Thursday May 15th, 2025 from 1:00-5:00 PM EST

Terms & Conditions

  • Competitors in the final Power Pitch Competition on May 15th, 2025 must attend in person. 
  • Competitors may only receive a maximum of one (1) award.
  • Awards will only be distributed to the winner.
  • Funds will be distributed as cheque payments.
  • Funds are issued as awards and thus are deemed income resulting in T4As.

Ready to submit your application?

Submit Your Application Here  (external link, opens in new window) 
View the Competition Guidelines  (external link, opens in new window) 

If you have any questions regarding the Power Pitch, please contact Stephanie at the Biomedical Zone at stephanie.sim@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) .

If you have questions regarding the iBEST Symposium please contact iBEST directly at ibest@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) .