Big Idea Competition

What’s the Big Idea?

The CBE Big Idea Competition is a funding request presentation contest. Student teams present concepts in one of four areas: For-profit Business, Not-for-profit Social Venture, Research Project, or Community Engagement Initiative. The 10th Annual CBE Big Idea Competition will take place April 28-29, 2017, and a whopping total of $10,000 in prizes and trophies will be awarded!

Think You Might Have a Big Idea?

Successful presentations in past competitions have been about a mobile organic food market, a new music sharing app, an aquaponics research project, and an employment initiative for adults in the autism spectrum. Keep in mind that you need to develop a project that falls into one of the four categories above.

What Do You Need To Do?

Entering is easy. To register, email Sarah Holt, Quigley Hall Coordinator, at sholt@allegheny.edu, or email Prof. Chris Allison, Economics Department Entrepreneur in Residence, at callison@allegheny.edu. They’ll provide additional information.

Then What?

Working with your team, you’ll develop a presentation using the 10-20-30 Rule; that is, you’ll prepare 10 PowerPoint slides for a pitch that is 20 minutes long, using text no smaller than 30-point type on each slide.

How Can You Prepare?

You can repurpose your Junior Seminar or Senior Comprehensive Project, or take Econ 380 – Economics of Entrepreneurship II, which meets at 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays during Spring semester. Class members will work on their Big Idea presentations for the full semester. Another option is to participate in two CBE Big Idea Competition Lunchtime Workshops held Spring semester.

Why Bother?

Participation in the competition will look great on your resume. And there’s the matter of money. The First Prize Team receives $5,000 and a trophy, Second Prize is $2,500 and a trophy, and there are two Honorable Mention awards of $1,000 each, along with a trophy.

Who Names the Winners?

You’ll be presenting your CBE Big Idea to a panel of successful Allegheny alumni from all walks of industry and research. They’ll evaluate the presentations and pick the winners. That’s quite a group of potential employers.

What’s the Registration Deadline?

April 1, 2017. But remember, the competition takes place April 28-29, 2017, so the sooner you register and start working with your team, the better your chances of winning.