Good morning!
There’s just one week left until the 13th annual North Country Regional Business Plan Competition. Next Friday, April 4th, nearly 80 local student entrepreneurs will be presenting 35 unique business endeavors while showcasing their innovative pursuits, engaging with seasoned investors, and competing for impactful funding opportunities! As you plan ahead for the day’s events, here’s everything you’ll want to know:
Timeline
8 – 8:45 AM: Check-in at the registration desk on the first floor of the Student Center and then join other student entrepreneurs while waiting for the competition to begin. Judging for the special Prototyping Award will also happen during this time.
8:45 – 9 AM: Clarkson’s 19th President, Dr. Michelle B. Larson, will share some encouraging words of advice in the Student Center Forum, followed by an event overview from Ashley Sweeney, the Director of Clarkson Ignite.
9 AM – 12 PM: The morning presentation session – this is when your pitch will be scored by judges and viewed by visitors.
12 – 1 PM: A break from the activities for lunch and some well-earned rest. Meal tickets for the Student Center Servery will be provided.
1 – 2:30 PM: The Pitch-Off competition! To keep the contest intense, participating presentations will be announced in real time as the Pitch-Off progresses.
2:30 – 3 PM: While judges make the final deliberations, enjoy an ice cream sundae social sponsored by Stewart’s Shops.
3 – 4 PM: The awards ceremony, where all of the top scorers and special prize winners will be announced! Third-place scorers will receive $250, second-place will receive $750, and first-place will receive $1,500, with the grand prize winner receiving an additional $1,500 on top of that.
Other Key Details
Presentation Tracks and Locations: Each of the 35 presentations has been assigned to one of 6 distinct tracks spread across 4 rooms in the Student Center and ERC, which can all be found here.
Available Technology: Each presentation room will have your slide deck loaded at the beginning of the competition, so all you’ll have to do is step up to the plate when it’s your turn. A remote clicker will be available for you to use while pitching.
Pitch Timings: Each presentation has a maximum of 8 minutes to pitch, followed by 6 minutes for Q&A with the judges. A timekeeper will be in each room to ensure the limits aren’t exceeded – if they stop you mid-presentation, it’s only to keep things fair!
Student ID: Don’t forget to have your Clarkson Student ID handy throughout the day, as you might need it should you eventually win an award.
Photos: Don’t be afraid to take a few pictures throughout the day’s events! Once all’s said and done, we’d love to hear what you thought on social media – a photo or two would be nice to see as well. And definitely don’t forget to tag Ignite in your posts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Dress Code: Be sure to come dressed for the occasion in business casual or business professional attire. With cameras rolling and funding opportunities up for grabs, looking your best will be extremely important!
Questions You Might Have
I have a class during the morning presentation sessions. Is there any way I can still give my pitch?
Absolutely! As long as one person from your business is able to give a pitch during your presentation slot, you’ll be eligible to advance to the Pitch-Off. In keeping things fair, however, if your team isn’t present when your time arrives, the judges will move onto the next team on the list.
My track is a bit larger than others… Do I still have a fair chance of advancing to the Pitch-Off?
Of course! Judges are using the same criteria across all tracks – regardless of the businesses’ focus or industry, the top presentation from each track will move on.
What do I need to prepare or bring for the Pitch-Off?
Compared to the morning presentation session, the Pitch-Off is a nearly identical affair. The only differences are that the time for Q&A with the judges is a little bit shorter, while the audience and prizes are a whole lot larger.
I’m not participating in the competition (although I’ve received this email). Can I still see what it entails?
Yes! All are welcome to stop by, view pitches, and have fun throughout the day. There’ll even be a special People’s Choice vote throughout the day, so you can still take part in helping select one of the award recipients.
That’s all we’ll share right now, but if you have any questions about anything related to the Business Plan Competition, don’t hesitate to let us know. We can’t wait to see your presentations next week!
The Clarkson Ignite Team