Back to competition

Formal Presentation

View rubric

Weight: 25%
Description: The Formal Presentation is a four-to-six-minute presentation where each business will share details of its product or service with a panel of judges, usually in the form of visual slides.
Guidelines & information: The Formal Presentation should cover the following general aspects of the business:

Presentation:
Deliver oral presentation in an organized, engaging manner.
Business goals are clear-cut and obtainable.
Founder(s) present a sequential business plan for achieving said goals.
Business Knowledge:
Founder(s) have thorough knowledge of their own business and industry specific business practices.
Data and Analytics:
Graphs and figures used in the boardroom with estimated and actual data.
Founder(s) have the ability to justify their figures with research and industry knowledge.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving:
Responses to judge's questions were industry specific and action-oriented.
Solutions were well thought through, creative, and original.
Founder(s) considered company’s constraints and means in their solutions and answers.
Professionalism:
Founder(s) are professional, and dressed appropriately for their business presentation.
Have great public speaking skills, spoke clearly with appropriate pitch, tempo, and volume.

Formal Presentation format:
A maximum of six minutes will be allowed for each business presentation.
Timing begins when the presenter begins speaking.
There is no minimum or maximum number of entrepreneurs that can present.
Immediately following the presentation, judges will ask questions.
Others in attendance are not permitted to ask questions or to comment.
Entrepreneurs must give the presentation live and in person.
Entrepreneurs are permitted and encouraged to utilize handouts and other visual aids.

Please review the Formal Presentation Rubric for full judging criteria.
Judging deadline: Feb 7, 2026 12:00 PM CST

The best way to run a business competition.