Pitch Competition

The GES annual pitch competition is a highlight of the Summit, giving delegates the chance to showcase their innovative ideas and practice their pitching skills. Sponsored by the Farley Center, Northwestern’s hub for entrepreneurship, this event celebrates creativity, problem-solving, and the spirit of social innovation. Delegates present their projects to a panel of judges for feedback and the opportunity to win a $2,000 prize. We can’t wait to see the impact this year’s competitors will make with their ideas. Accepted delegates will receive an application to be a part of our pitch competition in the weeks before our summit.

The 2025 GES Pitch Competition, hosted at Northwestern’s Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center, featured eight of our delegate’s projects. Each delegate pitched their project and long term goals to a panel of judges, Jim Casselberry, Maree Bullock, and Michele Rogers, and a room full of their peers and Northwestern students.

2025 ges pitch competition winner: victoria ochieng, Koreido koir

Victoria Ochieng, founder of Koreido Koir, won the 2025 GES pitch competition. Her project, Koredo Koir, focuses on converting coconut husk waste into three eco-friendly products: Coir Fiber, Coco Peat, and Biochar. Koredo Koir aims to position Kwale as a leading hub for eco-friendly products in Sub-Saharan Africa, with potential export opportunities to markets like the U.S.The long-term goal is to establish a processing facility in Kwale, creating over 300 jobs, with 70% targeted toward women.

Should you have any questions about the GES pitch competition, please reach out to our Content team at content@thegesnu.org.