8th Pitch Day: The Pre-Opening of COBEM 2025

Welcome to the 8th Pitch Day, an event celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship organized by the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), in partnership with the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR) and the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR). For the first time, this edition will take place on November 8, 2025, as the official pre-opening of the 28th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (COBEM 2025) in Curitiba, Brazil.

What is Pitch Day?

Pitch Day is an initiative that feat quick, impactful presentations (pitches) of innovative projects to potential partners, investors, and mentors. It also serves as a platform for scientific outreach, as academic and research findings are adapted into market-friendly language, highlighting the value they bring to society.

• 7 editions  already organized by UFPR


• 8^th edition  jointly held with PUCPR and UTFPR, in partnership with COBEM 2025


• Relaxed atmosphere: Hosted in front of  Bodebrown Brewery, internationally renowned and official Iron Maiden brewer in Brazil.

How Does Pitch Day Work?

• Project Categories

Ideation (Category A): Early-stage projects—“Conception” or “Basic Prototyping”—that are starting to validate ideas.

Advanced (Category B): More mature projects with a well-defined prototype or product, or those beginning the commercialization phase.

• Banner Presentations

Banners remain on display for all visitors (expected audience of up to 5,000).

From 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, evaluators circulate through the exhibits, ensuring each project is reviewed by at least three judges.

• Mentors and Final Pitches

The top two projects in each category are selected for “Angel Mentors,” who are innovation ecosystem experts offering guidance to refine the team’s final pitch.

At 11:00 AM, the selected teams deliver 5-minute presentations on stage.

Digital Popular Vote: The audience can cast their votes online, creating a dynamic and interactive judging process.

At 11:45 AM, winners are announced, and certificates are awarded.

• Afternoon Celebration

Starting at 12:00 PM, the evaluative portion concludes, and the celebration begins—complete with hard rock bands, food trucks, and the release of craft beer sales.

Throughout the day, there are also research and extension project showcases from participating universities, competition car demonstrations by student racing teams, and cultural performances featuring the C7 Vikings (student drumming ensemble) and Cheer Leaders.

Date and Venue

• When: November 8, 2025 (one day before COBEM 2025)


• Where: In front of Bodebrown Brewery,


• Adress:  1015 Carlos de Laet St, Curitiba – PR, Brazil

Pro Tip: Arrive a day early to enjoy this grand innovation celebration, gain an unparalleled networking experience, and seamlessly transition into the spirit of COBEM 2025 starting on November 9.

Why Participate?

1. High-Level Networking
   
   
   
   • Connect with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and COBEM 2025 attendees.
   
   
   
   


2. Visibility and Impact
   
   
   
   • Present your project to an audience of up to 5,000 visitors, including experts and potential business partners.
   
   
   
   


3. Scientific Outreach Simplified
   
   
   
   • Showcase your work clearly, highlighting practical applications and societal benefits.
   
   
   
   


4. A Moment of Celebration
   
   
   
   • Enjoy live bands, food trucks, and an engaging environment in a laid-back setting.
   
   
   
   


5. Awards and Publication
   
   
   
   • Outstanding projects will be awarded and invited to publish articles in Future Publishing journals.
   
   
   
   

The best-performing projects will be invited to present during a special session at COBEM 2025 and will receive a Certificate of Excellence.

How to Participate

1. Check the Submission Instructions
   
   
   
   • Submission Deadline: October 30, 2025 (until 12:00 PM).
   
   
   • Submission Link – Available soon.
   
   
   
   


2. Access the Exclusive GPT
   
   
   
   • We have trained a specialized AI model to assist you in formatting and completing your Pitch Day banner.
   
   
   
   


3. Download the Pitch Template (available soon)
   
   
   
   • Fill it out with your project details in PDF format.
   
   
   
   


4. Submit the Online Form
   
   
   
   • Attach your PDF and provide the requested information.
   
   
   
   


5. We Handle the Printing
   
   
   
   • Your banner will be ready for display at the event.
   
   
   
   


6. Attend in Person
   
   
   
   • Present your project in front of Bodebrown Brewery, defend your ideas, and enjoy the innovative atmosphere.
   
   
   
   

Bodebrown Brewery

Bodebrown Brewery is internationally acclaimed for its award-winning specialty beers and holds the distinction of being Iron Maiden’s official brewing partner in Brazil. Its vibrant and welcoming atmosphere provides an ideal setting to cultivate connections and partnerships, celebrating creativity and entrepreneurship.

Integration with COBEM 2025

The 8th Pitch Day precedes COBEM 2025, encouraging congress participants to also present their projects in a pitch format. This is a unique opportunity to expand your networking, gain visibility, and warm up for the biggest mechanical engineering gathering in Brazil!
Free Event: No additional fees are required to participate in Pitch Day, making it even more worthwhile to arrive early for COBEM 2025.

 

Join Us in Celebrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the 8th Pitch Day UFPR!

Contribute to the dissemination of groundbreaking ideas and connect with a vibrant ecosystem of research and development. For more information, submission links, and access to the Exclusive GPT, stay tuned to our official website. We look forward to seeing you in Curitiba!

 

Prof. José Viriato Coelho Vargas, UFPR – Chairman
Prof. André Bellin Mariano, UFPR – Director of Scientific Outreach
Prof. Dhyogo Miléo Taher, UFPR – Executive Manager
Aurora Ferreira Alves, OWE – Event Manager