Schools
Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Present Business Ideas at COD Contest
Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Present Business Ideas at College of DuPage's Pitch Contest
College of DuPage students, recent alumni and local district high school students will make business presentations to a panel of experts and compete for a top prize of $3,000 and a six-month Innovation DuPage membership during COD’s third Pitch Contest from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the Student Resource Center, Room 2000, on the College’s Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.
Online applications are due by Friday, Oct. 18, and eight finalists who are selected to participate in the contest will be notified by Friday, Oct. 25.
The contest, now in its third year, will feature a second-place prize of $2,000 and a third-place prize of $1,000. Participants will have the opportunity to receive insightful advice, explore resources and network with fellow entrepreneurs.
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The competition is hosted in partnership with the Innovation DuPage, College of DuPage Foundation, e2 Emerging Entrepreneurs, College of DuPage Continuing Education and the Small Business Development Center. Peter James, Business Professor and Entrepreneurship Club Advisor, said the contest will present participants with a challenge that will have long-term benefits.
“As aspiring entrepreneurs, the Pitch Contest presents the ability to not only gain exposure but also to be the launching pad for their venture,” James said. “The ability to be able to pitch your product or service to individuals and/or investors who desire to help you in a fluid manner is a skill that all entrepreneurs should master.”
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Innovation DuPage Managing Director Travis Linderman said participants will benefit from hearing panelists’ perspectives and that the six-month ID membership will be valuable to the first-prize winner.
“Innovation DuPage is bringing in experienced entrepreneurs to participate on the review panel for each pitch,” Linderman said. “These innovators will bring a seasoned perspective to the student’s startup ideas. The founder(s) that earn the ID Membership will receive a roadmap for transforming their ideas into viable commercial ventures. ID connects novel thinking to a solid infrastructure of resources available to entrepreneurs we mentor and support.”
Learn more about the College of DuPage Pitch Contest and contact pitchcontest@cod.edu with any questions.
