Pitch for Change Competition

This "elevator pitch" contest is open to participants with an idea for a new social enterprise venture. Unlike traditional business plan competitions, participants do NOT need to have a completed business plan.  All that is needed is a great idea that will have a significant social impact. Random ideas as well as Harvard Business School Business Plan Competition entrants are welcome!

CONTEST TIMELINE

The application process is as follows. There are two rounds for entry into
the contest::

Round I - FRIDAY, JANUARY 25

Round 2 - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Entrants are strongly encouraged to apply to Round I. Fewer spots will be available in Round 2 as slots will be taken by Round 1 entrants.  Also, early entrants will have the option of a “pitch” workshop to receive feedback on their planned pitch prior to the contest.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Although Pitch for Change is not a “formal” business plan contest, we do encourage entrants to put some concrete thoughts into their ideas.  The initial entry form should be no more than 2-pages in length and should be mailed to pitchforchange@socialenterpriseclub.com no later than FRIDAY, JANUARY 25th for Round I or FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15th for Round 2

We recommend you include the following information in your entry form:

• Names of your team members, graduate schools attended, and expected graduation date (at least one team member must be enrolled in a graduate degree program)
• 500-word executive summary
• Rough market size calculation and description of the target audience
• Ideas about how to market  your product or service
• Estimated timeframe to full scale operations
• Estimated initial cost and revenue projections
• Outline of the types of people you would need to build a “dream management team”

Finalists will be chosen and notified on a rolling basis, no later than the week of February 4th (Round 1 entrants) or February 25th (Round 2 entrants). The Pitch for Change finals will take place in two back-to-back rounds during the Social Enterprise Conference:

Semi-Final Round: 30 Seconds to Social Impact
15-20 selected participants will have 30 seconds to present their ideas.  A panel of judges will select 5-7 participants to move forward to Round 2.

Final Round: Pitch for Change!
Further selected participants will have two minutes to elaborate on their ideas, using up to two slides.

The panel of judges will then select a winner and first and second runners-up. Participants will get the opportunity not only to win cash prizes, but also to receive feedback from judges and the audience.

Who can enter?
The contest is open to individuals and teams.  At least one member from each team must be a current graduate student and be registered for the HBS Social Enterprise Conference.  Please include this information in your abstract submission.

How can I enter?
Submit an abstract of your pitch idea (no longer than 2-pages), along
with a contact email address and the names, schools, programs, and
expected graduation date of each team member to:  pitchforchange@socialenterpriseclub.com by Friday, January 25th or Friday, February 15th.

What are the judges looking for?
Winners will be selected based on the following key criteria: level of innovation, magnitude of impact, viability of concept, and overall persuasiveness of the presentation. Ideas can be nonprofit or for-profit.  However, judges will be looking for ideas that are self-sustaining.  As a result, preference will be given to ideas that generate some portion of their funding from revenues generated through the business model and do not only rely on large subsidies or grants.

What are the prizes?
The first place team will receive $3000. The second place team will receive $1500. The third place team will receive $500.

Once I’m selected for the semi-final round, what do I need to do?
Participants will be informed if they are selected for the semi-finals by 11:45pm EST on February 25th.

If selected, students should submit two slides that they will use if they are selected for Round 2 by 9 pm on February 29th to   pitchforchange@socialenterpriseclub.com by Friday, January 25th or Friday, February 15th.

Participants should practice their 30 second and 2 minute pitches as time goes quickly- especially in front of a live audience!

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