Rules

Eligibility

Who Is Eligible To Participate?

All students currently enrolled at the University of Michigan are welcome to participate, regardless of degree or program. Teams may add or remove members throughout the training phase of the competition (through March 2025) after which teams will be finalized until the final pitch.

What Are The Team Requirements?

We ask that teams have between 2-6 members, and represent at least two different primary degree programs, ideally those that complement each other’s skillsets.

For example, a four-person team might consist of one mechanical engineering student, one communications studies student, and two business students.

A note on diversity: Students are strongly encouraged to consider the University of Michigan’s principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the formation of teams and in the development of their solutions. Teams are also strongly encouraged to consider adding veterans to their team, consistent with the University’s commitment to those who have served.

Judging

Participating teams will gain real-world experience to pitch a business plan and raise capital for the commercialization of hydrogen technology or application. Judges will evaluate the teams as entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from early-stage investors and venture capital firms. Teams will be judged on how well they address the following criteria:

1. Overall Business Idea
2. Technical Analysis
   • $/kg of hydrogen at point of use
   • Total Addressable Market
   • Serviceable Addressable Market
   • Serviceable Obtainable Market
3. Customer Validation
4. Go-to-market Strategy
5. Legal and Regulatory Evaluation