The 2026 Cornell EMC² Mark Mobius Pitch Competition, in collaboration with the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator and the Runway and Spinouts Program at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, is now inviting applications. This initiative is designed for entrepreneurs, students, and recent graduates whose ventures address significant challenges in emerging markets, aiming to unlock new avenues for growth and innovation. The theme for the 2026 competition is “From Headwinds to Horizons: Unlocking Emerging Market Potential.” While applicants are not required to be based in an emerging market, their proposed company and solution must demonstrate a clear positive impact within one or more of these regions.
Competition Timeline and Key Dates
• Submission Period: Registration is open from March 15 to April 15, 2026.
• Information Session: An informational session will be scheduled during the week of April 15, 2026.
• Finalist Selection: Five finalists and two runner-ups will be selected by judges and announced by the end of May 2026.
• Summer Accelerator: The five selected finalists will be invited to participate in the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator at Cornell University throughout June and July 2026.
• Final Competition: The final pitch event will occur at the EMC² Conference on November 5, 2026, at the Cornell Tech campus in New York City.
• Winner Presentation: The Global Winner will present at the conference on November 6, 2026.
Program Structure and Opportunities
• Summer Accelerator Participation: Finalists will engage in weekly workshops and regular meetings with Entrepreneurs in Residence and other members of the Cornell entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Networking and Coaching: Finalists will gain access to optional networking and coaching opportunities to prepare for the final pitch at the EMC² conference.
• Post-Competition Commitments: Finalists are requested to record a video, write a blog post about their experience, and compose a thank you note to the sponsor, Mark Mobius, within one week of the final presentations. They are also asked to provide guidance to the following year's finalists.
Prizes and Awards
• Global Winner: A grand prize of $30,000 will be awarded to the winning team.
• Finalists: The four other finalist teams will each receive a $10,000 prize.
• Prize Distribution: The prize money is not an investment and will be distributed equally among the 2 to 5 designated team members or paid directly to the startup. Awards may be subject to tax withholdings.
Eligibility and Submission Requirements
• Team Composition: Teams must consist of 2-5 members, including undergraduates, graduates, or recent alumni (graduated within the last three years). At least one founding member must be on the team.
• Advisor Requirement: Each team must designate a faculty advisor/mentor from a founder's university or an external advisor.
• Venture Stage: The venture must be in an early development stage and have received less than USD 1 million in total funding.
• Submission Materials: Applicants must submit a pitch deck of up to 20 slides that describes the venture and includes 5-year financial projections.
• Market Validation: Submissions must include a working prototype or provide evidence of market validation.
• Market Focus: The venture must demonstrate significant market potential in an emerging economy or potential for global scaling.
Judging Criteria
• Problem and Market Opportunity (20%): Evaluation of the problem's significance in an emerging market, the target customer, and the market size (TAM, SAM, SOM).
• Solution (20%): Assessment of the solution's clarity, innovation, viability, and evidence of a working prototype or early user validation.
• Business Model & Traction (20%): Analysis of the revenue generation plan, pricing strategy, and evidence of traction such as pilots, partnerships, or early revenue.
• Financials (20%): Review of the realism of 5-year financial projections, cost assumptions, and the proposed use of funds.
• Team (10%): Assessment of the team's experience, skills, and commitment to the venture.
• Competitive Landscape (10%): Evaluation of the team's understanding of the competitive environment and their venture's differentiation.
• Bonus for Creativity and Innovation (Up to 10%): Additional points may be awarded for exceptional creativity, originality, or innovative problem-solving approaches.
General Rules and Conditions
• Originality: All submissions must be the original work of the author(s).
• Non-Confidentiality: Pitch presentations are public events that may be recorded, published on digital channels, and receive media coverage. Participants should not disclose confidential information.
• Media and Educational Use: Finalists must permit the use of photography, video, and recordings of their presentations for educational purposes within Cornell and for public distribution on official websites.
• Copyright: Teams are prohibited from using copyrighted materials or images from third parties in their presentations.
Contact Information
• General Inquiries: EMC² Mark Mobius Pitch Committee at contactemc2@business.cornell.edu
• 2026 Co-Chair, Mary Cha: mc3247@cornell.edu
• 2026 Co-Chair, Thrisha Gogineni: tg458@cornell.edu
• 2026 Committee, Rachel Cheng: rlc373@cornell.edu
Since its inception, the Cornell EMC² Mark Mobius Pitch Competition has supported a diverse and global community of innovators, with over 170 startups participating since 2020. The competition provides a significant platform for early-stage ventures to gain visibility, receive funding, and access the extensive Cornell entrepreneurial network, furthering the Cañizares Center for Emerging Markets' mission to cultivate the next generation of global business leaders.