Innovation Hub
Red Raider
Idea Competition
Your Idea. Your Mic. Your Audience.
Have an idea? Put it on the mic.
The Red Raider Idea Competition is your chance to take an idea from your head to the stage. Offered each fall and spring, the competition gives innovators two opportunities each year to share what they're building, exploring, or imagining.
You don't need a business plan, prototype, or established company — just an idea and the passion to pitch it. Start with a 3-minute video pitch. From there, 12 finalists will be selected to take the stage at our live Red Raider Idea Open Mic at the Texas Tech Student Union.
Live Open Mic
Take the Stage.
11:59 p.m. CT
$1,750 in Cash Prizes
The audience chooses the winners.
Once all 12 finalists have taken the mic, the audience votes for the ideas they want to see take home the prize.
How It Works
Two rounds. One idea worth sharing.
Pitch Your Idea
Video submissions due October 12 at 11:59 p.m. CT
Submit a 3-minute video pitch telling us about your idea, the problem you're solving, your solution, and who it could help.
Be creative. Film somewhere interesting. Show us a prototype, product, demonstration, or anything else that helps bring your idea to life. Just remember: we need to see your face and hear you pitching your idea for the majority of the video.
No slides. No business plan. Just your idea.
Red Raider Idea Open Mic
October 28, 2026 | 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Texas Tech Student Union
A review committee will select 12 finalists to take the stage for a live pitch in front of an audience.
You get 3 minutes to pitch your idea. No slides. No formal presentations. This is your chance to bring the idea to life in whatever way helps the audience understand it.
If it helps tell the story, bring a prototype, product, sample, prop, or demonstration. You aren't required to have one — but you're welcome to use anything that makes your idea easier to see, understand, or remember.
And bring your people. Finalists are encouraged to invite friends, classmates, family, and supporters to be part of the audience.
Then We Flip the Script
The audience
becomes the sharks.
You've had the mic. Now it's their turn. After each pitch, audience members can step up to the Open Mic and ask the finalist a question. Then, once everyone has pitched, the audience decides who wins.
3 Minutes
Each finalist takes the stage and pitches their idea live.
Up to 2 Minutes
The audience gets the mic and asks questions, facilitated by the Innovation Hub team.
You Decide
Voting opens during the event so the audience can hear the pitches before choosing the winners.
Who Can Participate?
Have an idea?
You're eligible.
The Red Raider Idea Competition is open to Texas Tech students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the surrounding community.
You don't need to have a company.
You don't need a prototype.
You don't need a business plan.
You just need an idea worth sharing.
What Makes a Great Pitch?
Three minutes. Make them count.
You don't need to sound like a professional presenter. You do need to help people quickly understand what you're proposing and why it matters.
What's wrong?
What problem, frustration, or opportunity have you identified?
What's your solution?
Explain what you're proposing and how your idea addresses the problem.
Who needs it?
Who would benefit from your idea, product, service, or solution?
Why does it matter?
Give the audience a reason to care about the problem and your approach.
Your pitch doesn't have to look like everyone else's. Find a cool location. Bring a prototype. Demonstrate your idea. Have fun with it.
Before You Submit
- Video is 3 minutes or less
- Your face is visible
- You are speaking for the majority of the video
- No slide presentation is used
- Your idea is clearly explained
- Audio is clear enough to understand your pitch
Ready to Take the Mic?
Your idea starts here.
Applications close October 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Live Open Mic: October 28, 2026 |
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. |
Texas Tech Student Union
Have Questions?
Need help developing your pitch? Want feedback on your idea? Not sure how to record your video? Contact Ryan to learn more about the competition or discuss available resources for your pitch.
Innovation Hub at Research Park
-
Address
3911 4th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79415 -
Phone
806-742-0024 -
Email
researchpark@ttu.edu