2007-2008 Notre Dame Business Plan Competitions

1st Annual Elevator Pitch Competition Winners Announced

 October 19, 2007

The Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is pleased to announce the winners of the 1st Annual Elevator Pitch Competition.  Set in a cleverly crafted Gigot Center “elevator” on screen, twenty-four participants pitched their ideas for a new venture to IrishAngels member David Brenner, Director of Innovation Park @ Notre Dame – South Bend’s future technology Park.  An audience of more than 100 listened as the presenters utilized this “chance” encounter with a prospective investor to very briefly gain buy-in for their company/idea in less than two minutes.  Several of our IrishAngels investors, along with some of our distinguished Mendoza College of Business faculty, served as judges and provided valuable feedback to our teams.

The $500 1st place award went to Sheila Powenski.  Sheila, a University of Notre Dame MBA student, pitched her team’s idea to recycle used medical equipment.  After the event she noted that “these winnings will go toward launch… building our website and other immediate needs to get our business underway.”

Finishing 2nd was Gerald Linn.  MBA candidate Linn and his team plan to build a software solution to aid people in becoming better public speakers.  Rounding out top honors in 3rd place was MBA studentMichael Burns.  Mr. Burns and his team pitched an innovative solution to offer tax consulting services to non residential immigrants.

After the Elevator Pitch Competition, attendees had an opportunity to interact directly with some of the University’s most successful entrepreneurs as they answered questions and shared their insights for success in a panel discussion led by Entrepreneur-In-Residence Mark Hubbard.

 

The ability to deliver an effective elevator pitch is essential to any entrepreneur and any businessperson.  A busy executive may be willing or able to give just one to two minutes to hear an idea – often this opportunity is characterized as that hypothetical moment when the entrepreneur steps onto an elevator and has to pitch a potential investor before he or she reaches their floor. Participants in the Elevator Pitch Competition were asked to simulate this chance encounter with an investor by sharing their idea as effectively and persuasively as possible in less than two minutes.

To view a steaming video of our first annual Elevator Pitch Competition, simply click here.