FINALIST Resources

Congratulations, Conrad Challenge Finalists! Please take a bow as we applaud your work this Challenge season… but, it’s not over just yet!

For Round 3: The Power Pitch of the 2022-2023 Conrad Challenge, we will celebrate 20 Finalist teams at the 2023 Innovation Summit! We can’t wait to see all of our teams in action presenting their innovations, building a community with like-minded students and networking with industry experts from around the world.

Get excited… we sure are!

As you prepare for your time in the spotlight, all teams must complete the following steps:

STEP 1: Get prepared for Summit!

You have already confirmed your spot with the Conrad Challenge. It is critical that all team members, their legal guardians, and coaches fully review all information around the 2023 Innovation Summit. This includes the Frequently Asked Questions.

All participants registered in the 2022-2023 Conrad Challenge agreed to the Rules & Regulations of the Conrad Challenge. These rules remain in place and are expected of all participants during their event participation. Please review again to help us create a fun, safe environment at the Innovation Summit.

Wednesday - Saturday, April 12-15, 2023 

Finalists are required to attend all scheduled programing during the Innovation Summit. Click the button below to view the detailed event schedule. Here is an overview as you plan your trip:

April 12 | Travel Day, Registration, and Opening Dinner Ceremony at South Shore Harbour Resort  
April 13 | Student pitches, sessions and fun activities | Space Center Houston  
April 14 | Student EXPO, Johnson Space Center tours, alumni and speaker sessions | Space Center Houston  
April 15 | Evening Awards Ceremony | Space Center Houston 
April 16 | Travel Day 

STEP 2: Register Online For Summit

*When reserving your room, please list all guests in your room within the “Special Requirements” section. You must provide full names for each person staying in the room in order toreceive the correct number of vouchers for breakfast each morning.

*The Conrad Foundation will provide Airport transportation from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to South Shore Harbour Resort on April 12. There will be 3 pick up times 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Likewise, on April 16, the Airport transportation pick up times from South Shore Harbour Resort will be 7 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. If you are traveling into Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), you must secure your own transportation.

STEP 3: REVIEW THE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Finalist teams are required to submit all materials through the Conrad Portal by March 24, 2023 by 11:59 pm ET.

REMEMBER: All teams who do not submit by the deadline will receive point deductions on their Finalist score and risk being disqualified from the final round. Please reference the additional information below for specific requirements. All items are considered final once submitted, and no changes will be allowed after the deadline. Exceptions will not be made.

Executive Briefing Deck

Teams must prepare a 6-page slide deck in standard PPT size (8.5x11 ratio). The first slide must be a cover side, followed by 5 content slides. This document will need to be exported as a PDF then uploaded to the Conrad Portal.

The Briefing Deck should describe your innovation in short form, including the business elements and any essential technology. The purpose of the Deck is to provide an overview of your innovation to the Judges prior to your Power Pitch. Don't forget to include important information like marketing, finances, the business potential and impact in this preview document to capture your team's work and enthusiasm. If you would like, you may include any of the content from your Power Pitch.

Summit judges will review and score this Briefing Deck prior to Summit to better understand your innovation and prepare their feedback following your Power Pitch. Please reference the Scoring Guide as you complete your Executive Briefing Deck to understand the scoring parameters.

PROOF OF PATENT APPLICATION

Each team is required to submit a completed patent application by the deadline. The application must be completed in your country of origin and include all team member names as co-inventors.

Your team does NOT have to submit the application to your country's patent office to participate in Summit. All we require is a copy of the completed application to demonstrate your knowledge of the process.

However, we do encourage you to submit your application if you have the means to do so in order to protect your idea!

The following links are helpful resources:

www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/patent-basics/types-patent-applications/provisional-application-patent
www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sb0016.pdf
www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/support-centers/inventors-assistance-center-iac

Pete Conrad Scholars will be awarded the opportunity to work with our sponsors to further their patent application. Please reference the prize page for more information.

POWER PITCH PRESENTATION SLIDES

If you would like, your team can create a presentation to utilize during your Power Pitch, these are optional and will not impact team scores.

All presentations must be created in Microsoft PowerPoint and any videos included must be embedded properly. Please review the Finalist Guide in detail for specific technical requirements of the systems utilized at Space Center Houston.

Power Pitches will be held in one of two theaters at Space Center Houston. Both spaces are auditorium-style rooms with a stage, large projection screen and tiered seating for 300 guests.

Power Pitch Format:

• You will be given 8 minutes on stage for your Power Pitch.

• Following your pitch, you will participate in a 20-minute Judge Q&A Session.

• All teams will be given 2 hand-held mics and a “clicker” to control your slides.

• If you have a prototype (optional), there will be a small stand on the stage for you to utilize.

Power Pitch Scoring Guide

Review the Scoring Guide to better understand how the judges will score your team at the Innovation Summit.

STEP 4: PREPARE, PRACTICE, AND GET EXCITED

After you’ve completed all of the steps outlined below and successfully submitted all of your Finalist materials on the Conrad Portal, take advantage of the time before Summit to prepare for a great trip, practice your pitch and get excited about everything that is planned for your trip. Before you take off for Houston, you will receive an email from the Conrad Team confirming all of your materials have been received and you are ready to go.

If you have any questions between now and Summit, please email us at info@conradchallenge.org.

See you soon in Space City!