Contest Rules

 

ELIGIBILITY:

The Clarion University BizPitch Competition is open to full-time and part-time students at Clarion University. Entries may not have won a top 3 prize in previous Clarion University BizPitch Competitions. Students may compete solo or in teams of four or less. Students may be contributing members of multiple teams, but may only be a part of the pitch presentation for one entry.

 

JUDGING

Competitors will present a 5-7 minute pitch to a panel of judges, followed by a brief question and answer period. Judges will award up to 5 points in each of the following categories:

 

  • Innovation – Is this idea unique or improves upon existing ideas with great potential for impact?
  • Clarity – Is the presentation concise, to the point and well organized?
  • Comprehensiveness – Did the presenter(s) cover all aspects of the idea? Did they demonstrate a good understanding of the market and knowledge of how operation of the business will work?
  • Feasibility – Is the proposed venture realistic? Did the presenter(s) demonstrate this thoroughly through numbers and facts?
  • Professionalism – Was the presentation delivered appropriately and were they well prepared?
  • “WOW” Factor – Was the presentation memorable and unique?
  • Answering Questions – Was the presenter(s) able to answer the questions sufficiently?

 

 

BONUS SCORING

Contestants can win the "Fan Favorite" award, which will be based on audience voting during the final event on November 20th!

 

PRIZES

First place prize for Clarion University BizPitch 2019 will be at least $1,500.

Second place prize will be at least $1,000, third place prize will be at least $500 and "Fan Favorite" will be $250.

 

Prizes will be issued to your company (if established) or to the individual identified as CEO if you have not yet started your company. Prizes are subject to tax withholding, and any individuals receiving prizes must be Clarion University students.

 

KEY DATES

Preliminary round: 11/4 & 11/6, 6:30 p.m. Movie Theater, Suites on Main North

Finalists announced: 11/8

Practice Day: 11/13, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Movie Theater, Suites on Main North

Dress Rehearsal: 11/18, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Final Event: 11/20, 6:30 P.M. Movie Theater, Suites on Main North; open to the public.

 

RELEASE

By submitting this application form you give permission to the Clarion University SBDC and Clarion University to use your likeness, company name, company logo, and company video in promotional media. Teams should carefully assess intellectual property considerations and the proprietary nature of their presentation materials, as the final BizPitch presentation will be open to the public. Students retain intellectual property rights to the materials submitted and presented.