Ten University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students will compete Saturday, Feb. 15 for an opportunity to qualify to win $10,000 in a Shark Tank-like business idea pitch event.
The UW Oshkosh Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in partnership with the College of Business and Small Business Development Center are hosting the competition, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 15 in Sage Hall room 1214 from 10 a.m. until 12 p. m. The event is open to the public.
The event is also generously supported by J.J. Keller & Associates, Faith Technologies and Jay Manufacturing.
Colleen Merrill, director for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UW Oshkosh, said 27 students applied for the competition by submitting their original business ideas, which were scored in five areas. Now, the top ten students are moving forward to present their 30-second pitch to a group of judges, including Burk Tower, city of Oshkosh mayor; John Muraski, College of Business faculty member; Richard Bergstrom, of Bergstrom Automotive and David Volz, of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
Students will be scored on their 30-second pitch based on their product or service, marketing strategy, management concept, revenue model, uniqueness and distinctiveness and overall presentation of the idea.
Following the Feb. 15 on-campus presentation of business ideas, the top three students will be flown to Florida during spring break to present at a Chancellor’s alumni event on March 26, where three winners will be determined. The third place winner will be awarded $2,500, second place will be awarded $5,000 and the first place winner will win $10,000. The pitch-contest winners will also be assigned mentors and given office space within the UW Oshkosh Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to help make their idea successful and executable.
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