"5 Minutes to Convince" Contest
Do you have a professional project? Sign up and come present it to a panel of judges!
The Office of Career Integration at SCUIO-IP is organizing the competition “5 Minutes to Convince, ” a unique event that recognizes the best project presentations. A panel of judges composed of professionals from the socio-economic sector and higher education will evaluate your pitches.
This competition is, above all, an opportunity for you to practice presenting your career goals to a panel of judges and to receive advice that will help you improve your presentation.
An exercise that will come in handy for your future job interviews or pitches when negotiating funding…
Application Deadline
January 14, 2027
Contest Finals
February 4, 2027
Two categories for submitting your project
Whether you want to showcase your career project or develop a business idea, the “5 Minutes to Convince” competition gives you the opportunity to present your project to a panel of judges.
CATEGORY A
Career Plan
Do you have a clear idea of the career you want to pursue or the industry you'd like to work in?
Describe your background, skills, motivations, and career goals to convince the panel of the relevance of your project.
CATEGORY B
Entrepreneurship
Do you have an idea for starting a business or an entrepreneurial project you'd like to develop?
Present your concept, its objectives, its added value, and its potential to convince the jury of the value and feasibility of your project.
What's in it for you?
Rewards and support to help bring your ideas to life and move your projects forward!
JURY SPECIAL PRIZE
The Jury's Favorite
An award given to the best presentation that did not win in the Professional Project or Entrepreneurship categories.
+ €500 in gift cards
Awards for the finalists and semifinalists
FINALISTS
100 €
As a gift card
SEMIFINALISTS
20 €
As a gift card
How can I participate?
Want to take on the challenge? Discover the four steps to enter the “5 Minutes to Convince” contest.
Choose your category
Select the category that best fits your project: Professional Project or Entrepreneurship.
Prepare Your Application
Write a 300-word presentation of your project to explain your motivations, your objectives, and the main points of your approach.
Your application
Download the 2027 application form in Word format and fill it out to submit your project.
DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION PACKAGEWord Document (.docx) – 2027 Edition
Submit your application
Submit your application no later than January 14, 2027. Applications will then be reviewed by the selection committee.
Win over the jury!
If your application is accepted, present your project during the semifinals on February 1, 2, and 3, 2027. Selected candidates will then participate in the finals on February 4, 2027.
Get your pitch ready!
To help you prepare for the “5 Minutes to Convince” competition, workshops and webinars are available to help you structure your project, improve your public speaking skills, and prepare for your presentation before the jury.
19
JANUARY
2027
Impact Business Model
Via videoconference · Duration: 2 hours
A workshop to help you think through the business model for your entrepreneurial project and better structure your presentation.
SIGN UPRegistration will be available soon
26
JANUARY
2027
Pitch Workshop
In-person · Duration: 2 hours
A workshop to help you learn how to structure your speech, highlight the strengths of your project, and prepare for your oral presentation before the jury.
SIGN UPRegistration will be available soon
DATE
COMING SOON
Mastering Oral Presentations: The Art of Persuading in Just a Few Minutes
In-person · 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Proposed speaker: Marc Dumas · Subject to confirmation
A workshop to help you improve your public speaking skills, capture your audience’s attention, and learn to present your ideas clearly and persuasively.
SIGN UPSchedule and registration to be confirmed
DATE
COMING SOON
My Meaningful Job
Webinar · Evening (time to be confirmed)
Subject to confirmation
A webinar to reflect on the direction you want your career to take and explore ways to align your career goals with your values and aspirations.
SIGN UPSchedule and registration to be confirmed
Key Dates for the Contest
From your application to the grand finale, discover the key stages of the “5 Minutes to Convince” 2027 competition.
JANUARY 14
Application Deadline
Today is the last day to submit your application.
JANUARY 19 AND 26
Preparation Workshops
Prepare your project and your pitch before the competition.
FEBRUARY 1–3
Semifinals
Present your project to the jury and try to secure a spot in the finals.
FEBRUARY 4
GRAND FINALE
The finalists present their projects, and the winners are honored!
The Keys to a Successful Pitch
You have five minutes to convince the jury! Here are a few tips for preparing a presentation that is clear, well-organized, and persuasive.
5 minutes to make a difference
01. Stick to the allotted time
Candidates must be able to present their project in 5 minutes.
02. Organize Your Presentation
Present a clear, well-structured, and compelling project, emphasizing the objective, action plan, feasibility, and impact of your project.
03. Win over the jury
Show that you can effectively communicate your idea and demonstrate the viability of your project.
2027 Contest Rules
Please refer to the contest rules for the eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and the schedule of the rounds.
VIEW REGULATION 2027PDF Document – 2027 Edition
They rose to the challenge!
Check out the testimonials from past participants in the “5 Minutes to Convince” contest. Their stories and projects might just inspire you!