"5 Minutes to Convince" Contest
Do you have a professional project? Sign up and come present it to a panel of judges!
The SCUIO-IP Office of Career Integration is organizing the “5 Minutes to Convince” competition, a unique event that recognizes the best project presentations. A jury composed of professionals from the socio-economic sector and higher education will evaluate your pitches.
Above all, this competition is an opportunity to practice presenting your career goals to a panel of judges and to receive feedback that will help you improve your presentation. This experience will be useful for your future job interviews or pitches when negotiating funding…
What's in it for you?
- A gift card worth 500€
- Personalized support to help you bring your projects to life
How can I participate?
- Register online
- Written Proposal: Submit a 300-word summary of your project by January 14, 2026. Download the document here.
- Semifinals and Finals: Selected candidates will be invited to pitch their projects to the jury during the semifinals and then during the finals.
2 categories to compete in
- Category A: Career Plan
Presentation of a career plan following graduation.
Evaluation criteria:
– Consistency between the student’s academic background, skills, and intended career path.
– Relevance of the plan within its professional context.
– Ability to convincingly demonstrate the feasibility of the plan. - Category B: Entrepreneurship
Presentation of a project to start or take over a business (company, nonprofit, cooperative, etc.).
Evaluation criteria:
– Clarity and feasibility of the project.
– Relevance of the business model and professional objectives.
– The project must constitute the applicant’s primary intended business activity.
More info on the categories…
Category A – Career Plans
- Subject: Presentation of a post-graduation employment plan.
- Prize:
– €500 gift card
– Support with project planning and job search (3-month assessment with Hays Occitanie) or personalized support from Adoc Talent Management, a firm specializing in career development for PhDs.
Category B – Entrepreneurship
- Subject: Presentation of a plan to start or take over a business (company, nonprofit organization, cooperative, etc.).
- Prizes:
– €500 gift card
– Six months of support for your entrepreneurial project from CPME Hérault and support from Pépite LR, including:
> 1 workshop at the Espace French Tech Pépite
> 1 follow-up meeting to determine the type of support needed or, for doctoral students, “business creation” support from SATT AxLR, including an assessment of potential eligibility for pre-incubation, pre-startup, or incubation programs.
Category: Special Jury Prize
- Prize:
– €500 gift card
– Award given to the best entry not selected as a winner in Categories A or B
Workshop: “How to Prepare a High-Impact Pitch”
Competition Prep Workshop: “Master Your Pitch”
The keys to crafting a pitch that wins over… investors, partners, stakeholders—and not just your next-door neighbor!
January 26, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Triolet Campus
This workshop will help you:
- Identify the key elements of an effective pitch.
- Structure your speech based on the audience and the context.
- How to Make a Short Presentation More Impactful and Clear.
- Leave with the tools you need to create a pitch tailored to your project
Hosted byIle des Possibles
Workshop: “Mastering Oral Presentations: The Art of Persuading in Just a Few Minutes”
Exam Prep Workshop: “Mastering Your Oral Presentation: The Art of Persuading in Just a Few Minutes”
January 27, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Triolet Campus
This workshop will help you:
- Learn the basics of oral communication.
- Structuring a compelling and dynamic speech.
- Combining rigor, authenticity, and creativity.
- Improve verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication.
Hosted by Marc Dumas, a psychologist and acting coach, CEO of MD Performance, and coach for the “My Thesis in 180 Seconds” competition.
Web Workshop: Positive-Impact Business Model
“Positive-Impact Business Model”
Launching a viable project is a challenge. Ensuring that it contributes to environmental and social impact is another challenge. This 2-hour peer-to-peer workshop will help you identify and prioritize your next steps.
January 19, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Via videoconference
- Identify the regional issues related to the project.
- Understanding how to make a business model sustainable and impactful.
- Assess the project's added value for the region and society.
- Goal: Create a project with a socially conscious identity
Hosted byIle des Possibles
Some useful resources
Tips for a Successful Pitch
- Presentation length: Candidates must be able to present their project in 5 minutes.
- Presentation Structure: The project must be clear, well-organized, and compelling. It is recommended that you focus on the key elements: objective, action plan, feasibility, and the project’s impact.
- Judging Panel: The judging panel will evaluate the ability to effectively convey the idea and the project’s viability.
Calendar
- January 14, 2026: Deadline for submitting the application (300 words)
- January 23, 2026: Jury deliberation
- January 2026: Preparation workshops and webinars
- February 2, 2026: Category A Semifinal – Professional Project
- February 3, 2026: Category A & B Semifinals – Career Planning & Entrepreneurship
- February 4, 2026: Category B Semifinal – Entrepreneurship
- February 5, 2026: Finals & Awards Ceremony