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Elevator Pitch

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Weight: 25%
Description: The Elevator Pitch competition is a 30 second - 2 minutes pitch about your idea for a product or business. Your job is to excite the judges by answering the seven questions & finishing with an action item.
Guidelines & information: Competition day process
Elevator Pitch will be competing on Thursday, March 5th, from 4:30 pm to 8:30pm*
*The Time of the event is still under review and scheduled to change.
Round setup and schedule are still being determined.
Students will receive their Elevator Pitch “slot” (the time at which they should report for their elevator pitch) when they check in at the evening of the competition.
There will be only one round for this event.
In case of a tie, a second round will be held to break the tie.
Timing
Students get up to 1 minute to enter the room and introduce themselves. No handouts, no PowerPoint, and no computer presentation permitted.
Time will start once the competitor starts their pitch.
The competitor has 30 seconds to 2 minutes to complete their pitch
Once completed, the competitor is allowed to leave.
Judges will then fill out the ballot and notify when the next competitor can come in.

Guidelines
Only competitors, judges, and event staff are allowed in rooms during round(s).
If a competitor needs special accommodation, please reach out to Megan and or Casey.
If a Business is being represented by a team, only one member is allowed to give the elevator pitch.

Judging your Business
To ensure the quality of your Elevator Pitch, it must answer the following questions & finishing with an action item:
What is your idea?
What is the need, problem, or opportunity that your product or business addresses?
Who do you assume to be your target customers?
Why is your product or business different or better than the competition?
Where or how did the idea come to you?
What are your business goals?
What investments would you put towards the business if you won the $250 cash prize?
Finish with a Closing Action Item
"Can we connect over coffee"
"Do you have a business card, I would love to chat more"
"You can find out more on our website.
etc.
Ultimately, your elevator pitch must build the compelling case why this business has merit.
Judging deadline: Mar 5, 2026 7:00 PM CST

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