Viking (Virtual) Business Pitch Competition

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Competition Details

Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship at the Bertolon School of Business presents

SSU Viking (Virtual) Business Pitch Competition 2021

We invite students and alumni of Salem State University to pitch their innovative business ideas at this inaugural business pitch competition event. A panel of judges chosen from the local entrepreneurial community will adjudge the winners. There will be cash awards of $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $1,000 for third-place individuals or teams, respectively. Your peers, faculty and local business leaders will be in attendance.

Register online NOW! The first 25 successful registrants will automatically win a $25 gift certificate.

Key Dates: Deadline Extended

  • March 3: Submit application by 11:59 pm ET​
  • March 8-10: Round 1 Zoom presentations
  • March 12: Teams selected for final round of competition
  • March 26-28: Business pitch practice sessions
  • April 10: Final Business Pitch event 
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Participant Eligibility

  • All current Salem State University students are eligible to participate. This includes students from College of Arts and Sciences, Bertolon School of Business, Maguire Meservey College of Health and Human Services, School of Education, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
  • All alumni who graduated from any of the above schools/colleges in the last three years (May 2018 graduation and later).
  • Individual students or teams (up to three) are eligible to submit their application.
  • All applicants must be available to present their business pitch online on Saturday, April 10, 2021. 
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Application Instructions

To apply for the competition, applicant(s) must complete the following steps by 5 pm (ET), Sunday, February 28, 2021.

1) Review and complete the application form

2) Create a business pitch PowerPoint presentation and upload it with the application form.

  • The attached PowerPoint must have no more than 5 slides.
  • All presenters (individual or teams) will have a maximum of 3 minutes to present their idea during the presentation rounds.
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Five Steps to Develop Your Business Pitch

1) Define the Opportunity: Provide evidence to show there is demand for your business idea (industry statistics, market trends, market size etc.)

2) Identify the specific problem you are looking to solve for customers

3) Describe your business idea

4) Explain what new valueyou can provide customers with your business idea; what problems you solve; how you are better than competitors

5) Identify next steps; resources needed; use of funds

Example Pitch Slides

Download an example of business pitch slides.

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Terms and Conditions

  • At least one team member from the applicant's team must be available to participate in the Zoom presentations.
  • All applicants must agree to be video (Zoom) recorded and for photograph release.
  • All applicant(s) must agree that the materials they are submitting are their original work and that applicant(s) are not under any restrictions/prohibitions that prevent them from sharing this work for the purposes of this competition. The applicant(s) will always retain all rights to the materials regarding their use prior to and following the event.
  • The applicant(s) are solely responsible for the confidentiality and legal protection of their ideas.
  • Applicant(s)’ work including information about their presentations will be made available on Salem State university website, and may be used in other online and print media for as promotional materials. 
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Resources for Presenters

  • Business pitch practice session: Hosted by the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, presenters can get feedback on their presentation skills and content of slides by Salem State faculty and MSBDC staff.
  • SSU library has a variety of business databases, including IBIS World and Statista for industry and market research.

This event is made possible with funding from the Michael Agganis Entrepreneurship Fund established by Madeline A. ’79 and Michael J. Agganis ’66 for the benefit of the Bertolon School of Business at Salem State University.

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