Ski Lift Pitch - Activate New Mexico

February 3-4, 2025 | Taos Ski Valley, NM

February 4, 2025

Entrepreneurs and investors alike are all-too-familiar with a typical elevator pitch. We think New Mexico is known more for its elevations than its elevators. Ski Lift Pitch brings New Mexico’s best startups and world-class VC funds together for a special event. And no, there are no elevators involved. Not the usual kind, anyway.

Alongside this year’s Platinum Sponsor, NMEDD: Outdoor Recreation Division and Office of Strategy, Science, and Technology, we welcomed pre-seed and seed-stage startups headquartered in or growing in New Mexico to apply.

Ski Lift Pitch: What To Expect

Agenda

Monday, February 3rd

3:00 PM: Check-in at The Blake Lobby
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception
7:00 PM: Evening Program
8:00 PM: Networking Begins
9:30 PM: Reception End

Tuesday, February 4th

7:00 AM: Ski Valet & Lift Ticket Pickup Open
7:00–8:30 AM: Check-Out/Breakfast Reception
8:15 AM: Event Overview
9:00 AM: Ski Lift Pitches (Rounds 1–3)
12:00 PM: Lunch & Tally Vote
12:45 PM: Afternoon Program: Final Pitches
2:00 PM: Winner Announced- SLP Close
2:15 PM: Open Ski
4:00 PM: Lifts Close

Previous Ski Lift Pitch Winners

2024

Rhea Space

2023

Parting Stone

2022

2020

Medicheck

2019

Twistle

2018

2017

2016

2015

Competitor Information:

What to Expect:

Audience of investors, economic developers, peers, customers, and from across the US.
Semi-final “Ski Lift” Pitches:
- - Three rounds of semi-final pitches where you pitch while riding the ski lift with investor judges then ski or snowboard down.
  - Semi-final Pitches must be given by a company representative who can ski/snowboard down the mountain (Taos Ski Valley does not permit riding down the ski lift)
Final “Ski Lodge” Pitches:
- - Three Finalists will compete for $10,000!
  - 5 minute pitch with your prepared pitch deck at the ski lodge in front of all attendees and a panel of finalist judges.
  - Followed by 3 minute judge Q&A
  - The final presentations are on the main stage and can be given by someone who does not ski. 
Judges are a combination of investors, economic developers, and successful entrepreneurs.

Eligibility:

Pre-seed and Series Seed Startups
NM Based Companies
High-growth and Scalable Companies
- - Companies must represent scalable businesses with proven potential for significant high growth potential.
  - High Growth means the business can achieve significant and rapid expansion in terms of revenue, customer base, market share, or other key performance indicators in large addressable markets.  
  - Scalable means your business should showcase the ability to expand operations and increase revenue without incurring a corresponding rise in operational costs.

Pitch Judging Criteria:

Team

The founder is clear and compelling; other core team members’ experience, skills, and network instill confidence that they can execute the vision

Product

The company’s product, service, platform, network, etc., is disruptive and timely, addressing an interesting and important problem.

Market 

The company is focused on a sizable and underserved market that presents an opportunity for ROI.

Traction

The company’s growth in the last year is impressive and shows that relative to their stage, they have great velocity and potential for scale.

Competitive Advantage / Differentiation

The company has a strong advantage over competition or alternatives both now and in the future thanks to strong IP, a hard-to-replicate approach, or other “unfair advantage(s)