Tell your story. Whether you have a business idea, product, service, app, or non-profit idea, this competition is for you!

This competition is open all Northern undergraduate students who have creative new ideas. You don’t need to have a full business plan, and no entrepreneurial or business experience is necessary!

Idea Pitch Competition Entry Form

 

Applicants (either individuals or teams) will receive valuable insight from successful business people and have the opportunity to win up to $1,000 in cash prizes.  At least three (and up to six) individuals or teams will walk away with a cash prize based on our judges’ rulings and the voting of audience members at the Shark Tank competition!

 

 

STEP 1

Submit your idea using the registration form. Ideas can be submitted in written or video format!

 

Deadline: Friday, Sept. 27

 

STEP 2

Finalists will have five minutes to give their pitch at The Shark Tank Competition in Jewett Regional Science Education Center on Thursday, October 17, at 7 p.m. The five-minute presentation will be followed by five minutes of Q and A from our judges. Judges will be local business people, including business owners, potential investors, and representatives from development centers. Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded following the Shark Tank Competition in the Jewett Regional Science Education Center.

 

STEP 3

Walk away with a portion of $1,000 in cash prizes!

 

Aberdeen Development Corporation logo

Cash prizes provided by Aberdeen Development Corporation

  • $500 First Place
  • $250 Second Place
  • $100 Third Place
  • $150 in People’s Choice Awards

 

Qualifications

To participate, you must be a current Northern State University student. You may enter and compete solo or in teams up to four.

 

Judging

The preliminary judging panel will consist of Northern staff/faculty from multiple schools and departments. Semi-finalists will be partnered with a faculty member on campus to help make your pitch amazing! Semi-finalists must participate in the Final Business Pitch Competition on Thursday, October 17.

 

Create Your Pitch

For the initial pitch submission (and your chance to make it to the Shark Tank Competition), your job is to excite the judges about your idea!

 

Be sure to answer the following questions:

  1. What is your business idea, product, service, app, or non-profit idea?
  2. How does it solve a problem or opportunity?
  3. Who is your idea, product or service designed for?
  4. What sets your idea apart?