Requirements

ETN Pilotathon & Showcase 2025 Submissions

  • Pilot Pitch and Showcase Submission Opens: Monday, March 10th 9:00AM (CST)
  • Pilot Pitch Submission Closes: Thursday July 31st 11:59PM (CST)
  • Showcase-Only Application Closes: Friday, September 5th 11:59PM (CST)
  • The participant must be available in person on September 16, 2025.

Once you have submitted your application, you’ll be notified by email if you’ve been chosen.

Apply Now
scene from last year's event

Check out the questions here to get ready for your submission

  • We are looking for startups that are ready to pilot their technology in the next 6 - 12 months. Using Elemental's Commercial Inflection Point, please select your technology's degree of commercial readiness. Visit Elemental Impact's site for more on the Commercial Inflection Point Scale.

  • First Name

  • Last Name

  • Email

  • Cell Phone

  • Level of Participation: Pilot Pitch, Showcasing

  • ETN Member?

  • Company Name

  • Website

  • Date of incorporation

  • HQ Location

  • Founders: Name & LinkedIn URL

  • What experience/expertise makes your team unique to build your product?

  • My team is comprised of underserved entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs who are BIPOC (Note: This has no bearing on application and is just for reporting purposes)

  • What companies have you piloted with?

  • What primary category does your product fall under? Industry, Circularity, Heat Supply, Power, Agriculture, Buildings, Renewable Fuels, Hydrogen, Mobility, Other

  • What primary industry does your product align with?

  • How would you characterize the most recent funding that you closed? Bootstrapped, Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C and beyond

  • Executive Summary (2 page summary preferred)

  • Pitch Deck

  • Pitch Video (3min) Optional

  • ETN shapes thunderlizards, ground-shaking companies born from tradition and innovation. How does your vision embody the spirit of a thunderlizard, and how will your company leave an undeniable mark on the world?

  • What’s your “superpower” — and how does it disrupt the status quo?

  • If you could wave a magic wand and solve ONE problem in your business today, what would that be?

  • How did you hear about the ETN Pilotathon & Showcase?

FAQs

Are you a startup at the pilot stage, ready to showcase your innovative technology to a room full of investors, industry experts and potential partners? We invite you to apply to ETN’s Pilotathon & Showcase, where you’ll have the opportunity to present your startup’s prototype, product, or proof of concept to a select group of investors and industry leaders. This is a chance to gain valuable feedback, secure partnerships, and attract funding to take your technology to the next level.

Applicants

  • Pilot ‍Pitch and Showcase Submission Opens: Monday March 10th 9:00AM (CST)
  • Pilot ‍Pitch and Showcase Submission Info Webinar: TBD
  • ‍Pilot Pitch Submission Closes: Thursday July 31st 11:59PM (CST)
  • Showcase-Only Application Closes: Friday, September 5th 11:59PM (CST)
  • ‍Pilot Pitch Applicants Notified: By Monday August 18th
  • Showcase-only Applicants Notified: Monday August 18th – Monday September 8th 5:00PM (CST)

Participants

  • Pilotathon & Showcase Preparation Webinar: Tuesday August 26th  2:00PM – 2:30PM (CST)
  • ‍Final Pitch Deck Submission: Monday September 8th 5:00PM (CST)
  • ETN Pilotathon: September 16th, 2025

Calling all Thunderlizards who are pushing the boundaries of innovation and ready to take their startup to the next level! We are looking for startups that are ready to pilot their technology in the next 6 - 12 months.

In the application you will use Elemental's Commercial Inflection Point Scale to select your technology's degree of commercial readiness. Visit Elemental Impact's site for more on the Commercial Inflection Point Scale.

There is no cost to submit an application.

However, do keep in mind that there is a registration fee to participate in the event. If you're an ETN member at the associate level or higher, the registration fee is waived. For those who aren't ETN members, there is a registration fee of $65 per person.

To apply for a spot at the Pilotathon & Showcase, please submit your application by the deadline, depending on your participation as a pilot pitch or showcase only, see key dates for details.

In the application form you will need to include a brief description of your product or technology, the stage of development and current pilot/test results, your goals for the event (e.g. funding, partnerships, market feedback)

Apply here

Scenes From Last Year's Event

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