ROUND 1 : HEARTFELT MONOLOGUE
You look into the mirror and see your younger self, he/she had dreams with flames ablaze. Sadly, those dreams have been swallowed deep in the abyss of nothingness. Talk to your younger self, explaining why you gave up on the dream you once had. Halfway through, you realize you’re still angry at yourself for quitting, and you lash out at your own reflection. However, you gradually recollect, turn that energy knowing what is done cannot be undone but it’s an avenue for redemption, for you and others. 3 minutes.
Expectation: Deliver a compelling, cohesive monologue in which you address your younger self, clearly explaining the dream you once had and the reasons you abandoned it. You should navigate the emotional arc smoothly; from calm reflection to bitterness, then controlled rage at yourself, and finally to weary surrender while making the narrative relatable and authentic. You must engage the audience through direct address, rhetorical cues, or a persuasive call to action that transforms personal regret into a lesson for others. Overall, the delivery should be polished, emotionally resonant, and leave the audience inspired to reflect or take action.
ROUND 2: TASKMASTERS CHALLENGE
Scenario: You’ve always avoided taking risks, but now you see opportunities slipping by.
Begin your speech with; “I have lived cautiously……”
And end with: “………maybe I was blind indeed but never will I again”
ROUND 3: STEVE JOBS CHALLENGE
Scenario: You have just been fired from a job you’ve held for three years because your ambitions were misunderstood. As you leave the building, you unexpectedly step into an elevator with the CEO of a company or organization you’ve always admired, someone who could potentially back your new idea.
Task: Deliver a 60 second elevator pitch tailored to the CEO as one of the following investor types:
- Venture capitalist (profit-driven): Highlight revenue potential, scalability, and competitive advantage.
- Government agency (policy-driven): Focus on alignment with policy goals, regulatory compliance, and societal benefit.
- NGO donor (impact-driven): Emphasize measurable social impact, community benefits, and long-term sustainability.
ROUND 4: SNAP SPEECH
You’ll be required to deliver a short speech on a surprise/impromptu topic.
Expectation: Think fast, speak clearly, and show you can organize your thoughts under pressure. You will have one minute of preparation time.
ROUND 5: STEVE JOBS CHALLENGE
You are pitching a solar energy startup to a panel of hard-nosed investors. They already have investments in oil and gas, and they see renewables as “too risky. Convince them not only that solar is profitable but also that resisting the transition will harm their portfolio long-term.
You must balance financial returns with environmental urgency without sounding like an activist. Investors are very skeptical; “But oil is still cheaper” or “Solar has failed before.” You must present data and a compelling business model in under 4 minutes.
