Two items are usually present at the start of any successful business venture: 1) an important problem, and 2) a “pitch” that represents a business solution to that problem. Entrepreneurs love to identify important problems, because such problems often lead to rewarding business opportunities. When an entrepreneur has identified a problem and has developed a business solution, they often “pitch” their solution — their business opportunity — to potential customers, co-founders, and funders.
Recognizing the importance of problems and pitches, we have created new applications on the Urban Innovator Platform that allow anyone to quickly and easily document a problem or to pitch a business solution.
The UEI “Problems & Pitches” competition
Our new Problem Statements and Business Pitches apps give you great tools for creating these essential business documents. Anyone who is registered on the Urban Innovator Platform (urbanei.org/register) can submit a Problem Statement or a Business Pitch in the Problems & Pitches competition. You can submit as many problem statements and business pitches as you wish. We will award cash prizes and recognition to the winners of the Problems & Pitches competition.
How to enter the UEI “Problems & Pitches” competition
If you are not yet registered on the UEI Urban Innovator Platform, first do so by visiting urbanei.org/register. Contestants must enter a profile, including their picture, to be eligible. Anyone can register, but we prefer those who have a bonafide interest in applying innovation and entrepreneurship to improve urban quality of life.
Entering a Problem Statement
- Go to the [Platform] tab on the main menu, then click on [Problem Statements].
- Scroll down and click on [Submit a Problem Statement].
- Enter the required information at the beginning of the Problem Statement form: “Source”, “Title”, “Problem Location”. Don’t worry about the “Project Code” field.
- Next, under “Informal Problem Statement”, for “Submission Formats” click on Video.
- Click on Text as well if you wish to add a text version of your problem statement.
- Record your video problem statement, up to 60 seconds in length.
- If you have elected to provide a textual problem statement, enter that as well.
- OPTIONAL: Under “Illustration”, provide an image that represents your problem statement and a caption that describes the image.
Entering a Business Pitch
- Go to the [Platform] tab on the main menu, then click on [Business Pitches].
- Scroll down and click on [Submit a Pitch].
- Complete each of the required fields on the pitch form. You may also complete the “Author Full Name” and “Illustration” fields, but these are not required.
- Finally, you must enter a video recording of your pitch of up to 60 seconds in length. Don’t worry about the “Project Code” field at the bottom.
- When you have finished entering your pitch information, click on the “Submit” button to send your pitch. That’s it!
Selection criteria and method
We seek Problem Statements that address important urban community needs. In selecting the winning problem statements, we will consider the severity of the problem and the number of people affected. We will also take into account the number of upvotes the problem receives on our platform.
We seek Business Pitches that address an important urban community need and that represent a sustainable and scalable business opportunity. We will take into account the “star” rating the business pitch receives on our platform.
Winners will be chosen by the UEI research team. The team’s decisions will be final.
Prizes
For each category, Problem Statements and Business Pitches, prizes will be awarded as follows:
| First Prize | $500 |
| Second Prize | $250 |
| Third Prize | $100 |
In addition, winners will be recognized on the UEI web site and in our newsletter.
Time Frame – Extended to 11/14/2025!
We will accept entries in the “Problems & Pitches” competition until midnight on November 14, 2025. We will announce the winners by the end of the day on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Ongoing Engagement
Though the “Problems & Pitches” competition will end on November 14, the Problem Statements and Business Pitches applications will remain on the Urban Innovator Platform. We believe that urban innovators will want to continue to share problem statements and business pitches irrespective of a competition. By sharing such information on an ongoing basis, we will see more business activity and more business solutions that improve the quality of life in urban communities.