YOUR BIG IDeaPitch Contest

The College of DuPage ‘Your Big IDea’ Pitch Contest is an opportunity to pitch your business idea to a panel of expert judges. Not only are there prizes at stake, you will receive insightful advice, exposure to resources and plenty of opportunities to network and meet other entrepreneurs.

Deadline - complete the online Pitch Contest Application by Friday, October 18, 2019.www.cod.edu/business-pitch

Finalists will be selected through a screening process based on application submission and notified by Friday, October 25 if selected to pitch in the final round.

It all starts with a Big IDea. We are looking for innovative ideas that solve a real problem or satisfy a need for a market that is growing. Preferably the idea is a scalable concept that can grow with additional support and resources after launching.

Business ideas can be conceptual and in development, or from student entrepreneurs who are in the beginning stages of their startup.

Application Process

Pitch Prep Resources

Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 2000

Nov. 4:30 to 6:30 pm.20Wed.

Finalists, we are here to help as you prepare to PITCH in the final round.(Appointment is required for Pitch Prep assistance.)

(630-942-3340 / ID@InnovationDuPage.org / 535 Duane St., Glen Ellyn)– Startup founders receive guidance from vetted mentors while they craft a scalable business model, define their value proposition and collect customer insights; therein enhancing their unfair advantage in the marketplace.

(630-942-3085 / COD Library) – A place where COD students and district residents can create digital content. Equipment checkout available.

(630-942-3355 / SRC 2102 or TEC 1016B) – Presentation assistance, withthe ability to record presentation.

(kickels@cod.edu) – Assist with acquiring business information including competitors, target markets and industry trends.One-hour appointments are available.

Innovation DuPage

Media Lab

Learning Commons

Christine Kickels, Businessand Entrepreneurship Librarian

College of DuPage StudentsDistrict 502 High School StudentsRecent College of DuPage Alunmi

Prizes Who Should Apply1st Prize

Six-month Innovation DuPage membershipPLUS

2nd Prize3rd Prize

$3,000

$2,000$1,000

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Pitch finalists will have a maximum of 5 minutes to present and 2 to 3 minutes of Q & A with the judges. Judges feedback will be provided immediately following the Q & A.

Your Pitch will be judged on the following criteria:

The final round of the Pitch Contest will be open to students, staff and community, therefore confidentiality is not guaranteed. If you wish to keep elements of your business or idea confidential, you should not include this information in your pitch.

The Pitch Contest will also be recorded and shared on the College of DuPage website and local cable channel. There is no way for College of DuPage to prohibit the sharing of pitch contest content with others.

Final Round

Confidentiality

Pitch Contest Partners

(630-942-2630 / 535 Duane St., Glen Ellyn) – One-on-one counseling services to new and existing businesses at no charge. Review business plans and discuss financing options, marketing, management and other topics of concern. Counseling sessions are by appointment only. Please identify yourself as a Pitch Contest finalist.

Small BusinessDevelopment Center

E-mail pitchcontest@cod.edu to set up a time to have a practice pitch filmed and reviewed for feedback.

Introduction - Clearly identify who you are, your company name and your product or service.Need - Explain the problem and how your company, technology or invention will solve the problem.Target Market - Who will buy your product or service?Competition - Who are your competitors and why do they fall short?Business Model - How will you make money?Presentation Delivery - Your confidence, clarity and poise during the presentation.What will you do with the money if you win the contest?

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