"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 Career Services Office is organizing the “5 Minutes to Convince” competition, a unique event that recognizes the best project presentations. A panel of judges made up 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 valuable 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 bring your projects to life
How can I participate?
- Register online
- Written submission: 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 demonstrate the feasibility of the plan. - Category B: Entrepreneurship
Presentation of a project to start or take over a business (company, association, cooperative, etc.).
Evaluation criteria:
– Clarity and feasibility of the project.
– Relevance of the business model and professional objectives.
– The project must constitute the primary business activity planned.
More info on the categories…
Category A – Career Plan
- Subject: Presentation of a post-graduation employment plan.
- Price:
– €500 gift card
– Support with project planning and professional 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: Proposal for a new business venture or business takeover (company, nonprofit organization, cooperative, etc.).
- Prizes:
– €500 gift card
– Six months of support for your business project from CPME Hérault and support from Pépite LR, including:
> 1 workshop at the Espace French Tech Pépite
> 1 follow-up meeting to determine support options or, for doctoral students, “business creation” support from SATT AxLR, with an assessment of potential selection for pre-maturation, pre-incubation, or incubation.
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 Create 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.
- Make your 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”
Competition Preparation 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 spoken communication.
- Structure a compelling and dynamic speech.
- Combining precision, authenticity, and creativity.
- Improve verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication.
Hosted by Marc Dumas, a psychologist and acting coach, founder 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 serves both ecological and human impact is also a challenge. This 2-hour peer-to-peer workshop will help you identify and prioritize your next steps.
January 19, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
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 ethos
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 proposal should be clear, well-organized, and persuasive. It is recommended that you focus on the key elements: objective, action plan, feasibility, and the project’s impact.
- Jury: The jury will evaluate the ability to effectively communicate 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: Semifinals for Categories A & B – Career Planning & Entrepreneurship
- February 4, 2026: Category B Semifinal – Entrepreneurship
- February 5, 2026: Finals & Awards Ceremony