How It Works

Eligibility

• This event is open to the public. If you belong to a lab or you just have a great idea, you may participate. Companies may participate as long as their products/services have not yet been commercialized.

• Contestants may enter the competition with only one pitch and compete within only one category. Likewise, multiple contestants cannot enter with the same idea/pitch. Multiple entries will not be accepted.

• Contestants must enter the competition through our online registration form. As part of the registration process contestants must complete a 200 word public summary of their idea, however this summary will not be shown to the judges prior to the competition and will not influence the results of the competition.

Rules

1. You may enter the Elevator Pitch Contest by completing the online registration form
2. You will be randomly selected and invited to deliver your Elevator Pitch to the judges. 
3. You will have sixty seconds to make your oral pitch. No slides, visual aids, or other presentation materials are permitted. 
4. The contest will consist of two rounds.  In the preliminary round you will be competing with other entrants in your chosen industry category.  Selected entries from the preliminary round will enter the Grand Finale to be held the same day. 
5. The Grand Finale will award five prizes for one winner in every category, in addition to two runner-up prizes and one grand prize winner.
6. A special prize - "The Crowd Favorite" - will be awarded to the finalist who attracts the most support and cheers from the audience.  You may invite your friends and colleagues to support you.  The contest is free and open to the public. 
   

Competition Categories

Healthcare (Life-sciences)

This category includes, but is not limited to:

1. Biopharmaceuticals
2. Health care services
3. Medical devices
4. Medical information systems

Internet and Communications

This category includes, but is not limited to:

1. Mobile devices and mobile applications/software
2. Internet services, applications/software, and related technologies
3. Telecom, networks, and infrastructure

Products and Services (non-Internet and Communication, and non-healthcare)

This category includes, but is not limited to:

1. B2C/B2B Products (hardware, software, consumer products, etc.)
2. B2C/B2B Services
3. Retail

Energy / Green Technologies

This category includes, but is not limited to:

1. Efficiency
2. Clean Tech
3. New Materials
4. Alternative power
5. Energy storage

Development

This category includes, but is not limited to:

1. Social entrepreneurship
2. Non-profit
3. Private growth strategy
4. Nutrition
5. Education

Prizes

Over $10,000 in Prizes

• Five Category Prizes - $1,000 each
• Two Grand Prize Runners Up - $1,000 each
• One Grand Prize - $2,500
• One Crowd Favorite - $1,000

Judging Criteria

Each pitch will be evaluated on three equally important criteria:

1. How well the pitch articulates a specific problem or unmet need and identifies your customer
2. How unique and viable your idea is in addressing this specific need
3. How effectively and passionately presenter articulates the problem and solution
   *The final round "crowd favorite" will be decided on crowd participation.