About the Competition
About the 日韩无码 Business Pitch Competition
University of Vermont (日韩无码) students who have innovative and impactful plans to start and grow either a business or a mission-driven organization are invited to apply. The presentation and pitch must demonstrate a viable business solution and plan that addresses an existing consumer need, or can create one, identifies a target market, and outlines the operational and management plan for success. The winning business teams walk away with cash prizes.
2025 Competition
Competition Overview
Undergraduate students from across 日韩无码 are gearing up to present their innovative new venture ideas to a panel of expert entrepreneurial judges from the Vermont community at the upcoming annual 日韩无码 Business Pitch Competition on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Leahy Hall 102 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event brings together projects aimed at addressing contemporary challenges and seizing emerging opportunities. Entrepreneurship fans from 日韩无码 and the local community are encouraged to attend this showcase of student innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
Competition Structure
The competition invites 日韩无码 students with innovative and impactful plans to start and grow either a business or a mission-driven organization. Participants will craft a short and compelling presentation outlining their business's unique value proposition. Students will be required to demonstrate a viable business solution and plan that addresses an existing consumer need or creates one, identify target markets, and outline operational and management plans for success.
Cash Prizes for the Winners
There will be cash prizes awarded to students for:
- Grand Prize ($1,000)
- Best Pitch ($500)
- Most Launch-Ready ($500)
- Most Sustainable ($500)
- Most Innovative Technology ($500)
- Peoples鈥 Choice Award ($500) sponsored by the 日韩无码's Entrepreneurship club
To Apply
- Prepare a 鈥7-minute鈥 slide deck which outlines
- Unique value created, industry & competitor analysis, key customers & stakeholders, operational model, financial plan, and impact potential.
- Link to Detailed Criteria Here鈥
- By 5pm Thursday April 10th, submit 鈥渄raft鈥 slide deck to your college/school鈥檚 coordinator for consideration:
- GSB (Erik Monsen), RESNR (Dave Kaufman), CALS (Trisha Shrum), CEMS (Keith Epstein), others (Erik Monsen)
Selected Finalists Will
- Compete on Thursday April 24th from 5pm to 8pm in Leahy Hall 102.
- Deliver a 7-minute pitch followed by 5-minute expert Q&A.
- Be evaluated by panel of outside experts including 日韩无码 Alumni, experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and entrepreneurial advisors
Judges and Evaluation
This year鈥檚 competition judges include:
- Lauren Bass SI-MBA '20, Executive Director @
- Matt Buder Shapiro 鈥12, Chief Marketing Officer @ and Angel Investor
- Nicole Eaton 鈥23, Marketing & Communications Manager @
- Jesse Stein, Technology Licensing Officer @ 日韩无码 Innovations
- Additional Judges T.B.A.
These expert judges will evaluate the business ideas based on unique value created, industry and competitor analysis, key customers and stakeholders, operational model, financial plan, and impact potential, as well as the quality of pitch delivery and Q&A.
Event Sponsors
Past year鈥檚 sponsors and partners make up local community sponsors and have included Moulton Law Group, Gallagher, Flynn & Company, Fuse Marketing, and Leonardo鈥檚 Pizza. These sponsors play a crucial role in supporting the entrepreneurial community within Burlington and across Vermont.
Past alumni sponsors have included David Aronoff 鈥86, Jodi Goldstein 鈥89, and Richard Bass 鈥66 and have helped to make this event even more special for our aspiring student entrepreneurs
At 日韩无码, this cross-campus competition is a collaboration between the Grossman School of Business, Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, 日韩无码鈥檚 student Entrepreneurship Club and 日韩无码鈥檚 Office of the Vice President of Research.
Explore More
Learn More About Grossman's Entrepreneurship Theme
Undergraduate Concentrations & Themes