The preliminary rounds are one of the key events of the entire Nationals competition. Startups will pitch to a panel of judges in designated rooms. Each startup will have 4 minutes on stage to deliver their pitch, followed by a 4-minute Q&A session with the Judges. Judges will have 2 minutes to give feedback and an additional minute or two to score. From each room, the top 2 or top 3 startups will proceed to the National finals.