Collegiate BizLaunch Week | bizlaunchweek.com | Powered By: Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization

Collegiate BizLaunch Week Powered by: Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization

401 W. Kennedy Blvd Tampa, FL 33606

bizlaunchweek.com (813) 258-7CEO

Idea Mentoring Sessions

Event planning guide prepared by:

Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Collegiate BizLaunch Week | bizlaunchweek.com | Powered By: Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization

Idea Mentoring Sessions: Program Summary

This pitch competition is unconventional compared to what you most likely have in mind. This “competition” is really no competition at all. Instead, students with either a business idea or actual venture will be encouraged to participate in more of an informal pitch workshop. There is no dress code, no memorized 90 second pitch, and no ask for funding. Instead, students will present their business or concept to a panel of “judges” for no more than 5 or so minutes. Following this presentation, the panel will have an opportunity for Q&A, constructive criticism, and recommended action points to move forward with. Who knows, the panel may even have the right connections for a student and help move their business forward in that regard.

Panelists should consist of a few different types of individuals. Potential panelists can be entrepreneurship faculty, local entrepreneurs, accomplished alumni, and more. These should be people interested in giving back to your campus’ entrepreneurial ecosystem and are experienced in relevant fields to your students.

Being that these panelists are volunteering their time to support your cause, make sure to be mindful of their time. Have participating students register ahead of time and create a schedule based upon their availability within the event’s time block. The last thing you want to do is have panelists commit a number of hours of their busy day to your event, for only a few students to participate and time wise, be mostly spread out. Respect for the panelists is key to a successful event and any hopes of repeating in the future.

It is also good practice to collect preliminary information from participating students ahead of time related to the business or concept they are presenting. Once collected, a simple handout can be provided to the various panelists to better prepare them from what they’re about to be presented. Instead of having to digest everything in that moment and provide feedback to your students, panelists are now able to better grasp the initial 5 minute “pitch” and use the interactive response time more effectively.

Idea Mentoring Sessions: Marketing Overview

Create an informal, genuine environment for student entrepreneurs to pitch their ventures or startup ideas to a panel of local entrepreneurs and/or alumni! The goal of this event is to create a safe and constructive space to incubate ideas across campus. No scores, no “winners”, no prize money. Students are here to grow their ventures, create the space in which they can do so!

Idea Mentoring Sessions: Flyer Elements

Include: Date, Time, Logo: BizLaunch Week, Event Name, Marketing Overview, Contact Information & How to Register (if required)

Collegiate BizLaunch Week | bizlaunchweek.com | Powered By: Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization

Idea Mentoring Sessions: Event Planning Checklist

• Request event space: Date ________ Confirmed ________

• Create Online registration for participants: Date ________

• Institution website:

o Update event on school website: Date ________

o Post on school online calendar: Date ________

• Design work:

o Flyer/Poster/Program/etc.: Created _________ Ordered/Printed ________

§ Approval from public info office: Date ________

§ Print copies: _________

§ Post and distribute across campus: Date ________

§ Stuff business faculty mailboxes: Date ________

o Image/logo for event website: Date ________

o Email sent to college of business faculty and staff: Date _______

o Global email sent to faculty and students: Date ________

• Invitations:

o Save the date mailed/emailed: Date ________

o Formal invitations mailed/emailed: Date ________

o Sponsorship: Date ________ Confrimed ________

o Constant contact blast #1: Date ________

o Invitation to dean, senior staff: Date ________

o Invitation to president, provost: Date ________

• Print Media:

o Budget: ________

o Date to run ad: ________ Number of times: ________

Collegiate BizLaunch Week | bizlaunchweek.com | Powered By: Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization

• Press Release: Date contacted ________ Date released ________

• Social Media:

o Facebook: Date(s) ________

o Instagram: Date(s) ________

o LinkedIn: Date(s) ________

• Sponsors:

o Collect Logo: Date ________

o Table cards?: Confirmed _______

o Promotional materials?: Confirmed _______

• Media Services:

o Contacted: Date ________

o Confirmed: Date ________

• Catering:

o Contacted: Date ________

o Confirmed: Date ________