Business pitch competition open to WMU student entrepreneurs

Applications for the Pitch Competition are due March 20.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Students from across campus are invited to present their business pitches for cash prizes totaling $4,000 at the third annual Pitch Competition Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, at Western Michigan University.

Aspiring entrepreneurs will be asked to develop a three-minute pitch about an innovative business idea for an audience of potential investors. Students will be evaluated in progressive rounds by panels of judges comprised of faculty, entrepreneurs and members of the business community. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top four finishers: $1,700 for first place; $1,200 for second place; $800 for third place; and $300 for people's choice/most entertaining.

The competition is open to all WMU students and is sponsored by Educational Community Credit Union and Great Lakes Architectural Products Group.

"I see the pitch competition as the first step towards helping WMU students think through their business ideas and gain the feedback needed to move ideas forward," says Dr. Robert Landeros, chair of the Department of Management and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. "Students who successfully state a problem in three minutes, how it will be solved and what is needed will have opportunities to advance their business ideas through the generous support of our sponsors, ECCU and Great Lakes Architectural Products Group.”

Competition schedule

Information Sessions

• March 16, 10 to 11:30 a.m., D-132 Parkview Campus.
• March 18, noon to 1:30 p.m., 1710 Sangren Hall.
• March 18, 3 to 4:30 p.m., 1280 Schneider Hall.
• March 20, 2 to 3:30 p.m., 1035 Health and Human Services Building.

Competition

• March 27 (first round), 3 to 5:30 p.m., Schneider Hall.
• March 28 (finals), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (open to the public), location to be announced.

The competition is open to individuals or teams. A maximum of 32 teams may compete, with one student from each team delivering the pitch. Students interested in participating are encouraged to come to the information sessions. Applications are due by midnight on March 20 .

For more information, contact Landeros at robert.landeros@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5802. Visit wmich.edu/pitch for more details and to apply.

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