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Round 1: Business Basics

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Weight
100%
Description
Welcome to the first round of the SparkWV Pitch Competition! This is your chance to showcase your business idea and lay the foundation for success. In this round, you'll choose your track, introduce your business, and provide key insights into your target market, the problem you're solving, and your unique solution.
Guidelines & information
Submit a PDF attachment with your Business Basics Summary. We've included two examples below to help you with your submission.
Small Business Track Round 1 Example.pdf 47.09 KB
Big Idea Track Round 1 Example.pdf 40.33 KB
Here's what you'll need to include:

1. Choose Your Track:
Pick the business category that best fits your idea:

  • Track 1 “Big Ideas” allows students to propose ideas for a product or invention, such as an app or new technology, even if they don’t yet have the resources to build it.  
  • Track 2 “Small Business” allows students to present a viable small business concept that they could start in their local community, such as a homemade jewelry business or a coffee shop.  

2. Business Name
Give us the name of your business.

3. Target Customer
  • Who is your ideal customer? (Hint: it can’t be everyone!)  
  • Include specific demographics to define your audience.

4. Opportunity or Problem  
  • What problem are you solving for your target customers?  
  • What gap exists in your community, and how does your business address it?  
  • Identify your competitors or explain how people currently handle this issue.

5. Solution
  • What, exactly, are you creating? (You'd be surprised how many people describe their features without saying, for example, that it's going to be an app!)
  • Highlight the key features and benefits of your solution.  
  • Explain how your solution effectively solves the problem or why it will work in your community.  
  • Show us how your idea stands out from others.

6. Personal Statement 
  • Why do you want to be a part of SparkWV?  
  • Make your case – sell us on your passion and why your idea deserves attention!

Submission Criteria:  
  • Ensure your responses are clear, concise, and free of grammar or punctuation errors.  
  • Make sure each section is fully addressed for the best chance to move on to the next round.

This is your opportunity to make an impression and show us why your idea has the potential to make an impact.
Submission deadline
Nov 15, 2024 11:59 PM EST
Judging deadline
Dec 4, 2024 11:59 PM EST