Mock2Pitch: hackathon regulars build an AI coach for presentation practice
By Thakur Prashanth · October 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Dubbaka Sathwik (BTF-021) and Sahithi Eshwaroju (BTF-022) had done many hackathons but felt they were building on AI autopilot. In Build Theory they learned to direct AI, and built Mock2Pitch to help students practise presentations with AI feedback.
At a glance
Product: Mock2Pitch
Built by: Dubbaka Sathwik (BTF-021), Sahithi Eshwaroju (BTF-022)
Background: Dubbaka Sathwik: 3rd year CSE, MVSR Engineering College; Sahithi Eshwaroju: 3rd year CSE, MVSR Engineering College
Cohort: Build Theory Fellowship, Cohort 01 (BT-01)
Status: Built and in use for practice; usage and pilot details to be documented.
Who built Mock2Pitch?
Dubbaka Sathwik (BTF-021) and Sahithi Eshwaroju (BTF-022) are third-year CSE students at MVSR Engineering College who had attended many hackathons and pitchathons. Building was not new to them, but they felt they lacked real guidance in the process.
From AI autopilot to AI under control
Before Build Theory, their habit was to tell Claude or ChatGPT what they wanted and let it handle the work, which left them with little control over scope and decisions. In the fellowship they learned to direct AI, define scope and stay in control of the product.
The user problem
Many students struggle to explain a product in front of a jury, a group, or even friends. AI makes preparing a deck easy; standing up and presenting it clearly is still hard.
What Mock2Pitch does
A student uploads their presentation, practises within a chosen time limit, and gets AI feedback on their speech, timing and slide coverage, with slide-wise scripts and follow-up questions. It also picks up filler words, so each practice round is better than the last.
What this story shows
AI is most useful when the builder controls scope and decisions, and presentation quality comes from practice and delivery, not just a polished deck.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mock2Pitch?
Mock2Pitch is an AI presentation practice tool: upload your slides, rehearse within a time limit and get feedback on speech, timing, filler words and slide coverage. It was built by Dubbaka Sathwik (BTF-021) and Sahithi Eshwaroju (BTF-022).
Who is Mock2Pitch for?
College students preparing for hackathons, project presentations, seminars and campus placements.
Build your own product in Cohort 02
This story is part of Build Theory Cohort 01: what 24 fellows built. Build Theory is a 30-day online fellowship, based in Hyderabad, where students and early professionals go from a real problem to a live product with 1:1 mentorship and AI tools. Any year, any branch. Check your readiness score or apply for Cohort 02.
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