Pitch Day

Tuesday April 2, 2013

Everyone has business ideas. What’s yours? University of Michigan-Dearborn will host a Pitch Day on April 2 to encourage students to share their ideas and help reshape the future of business. For their effort, students can win cash prizes. The event connects the Elliott Initiative for Academic Excellence, the Business of Franchising Initiative and Professional Development workshops. Registration is now closed, however the event will be open to the public from 4:00-8:00pm on April 2nd. The event is located in Quad E of the Fairlane Center (19000 Hubbard, Dearborn, MI 48126).
 

4-6pm Personal Pitch

Who should participate?  Students currently enrolled at UM-Dearborn. 

How much can you win? Prizes of $100, $75, and $50.

What does this mean? Job security is an oxymoron. Industries and companies are changing so fast that careers of the future will be built around your ability to make an impact in an organization over a short period of time. Entrepreneurial startups, growing companies, and consulting firms will offer opportunities for talented individuals to make an immediate impact. In order to succeed, you first must be able to articulate your skills and talents.

What do you have to do? Participants have only 60 seconds to tell their story and sell a panel of business leaders, hiring managers, and entrepreneurs on what makes them a great addition to the team.
 

6-8pm Business Idea Pitch

Who should participate?  Students and recent graduates from UM-Dearborn. Alumni must have graduated from UM-Dearborn in December 2011 or later.  Teams are welcome to apply, but must include at least one UM-Dearborn student or recent graduate.

How much can you win? $5,000 in Prizes, with a top prize of at least $2,000

What does this mean? The state and region are poised for an economic turnaround. Southeast Michigan is returning to its entrepreneurial roots, so we want to learn how your idea for new businesses and products will impact the area.

What do you have to do?

In five minutes, individuals or teams will describe their business idea. Innovative ideas are encouraged, and compelling and persuasive presentations will help make your case. Teams are encouraged to consider how customer service, guest experiences and other processes can be crafted. We also encourage teams to describe how their idea can impact Michigan’s urban areas and big cities.

Funding and other resource support provided by the Betty F. Elliott Initiative, COB Alumnus Thomas Quinlan, Michigan Initiative for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the COB student-led Professional Development Workshops (PDW), in partnership with iLabs and the College of Business.

What else do you need to know?

It is free to try and everyone who pitches receives participation gifts

You must preregister before 5pm, March 22, 2013 (registration is now closed).

Students may participate in both competitions.

Coaching is available starting in March

Even if you don’t pitch, you are welcome to watch

Full rules and guidelines are available from Joy Beatty jebeatty@umd.umich.edu

You share your creative ideas and we can help you generate support to move forward.

Questions