From the judges: This program not only met but exceeded its projected attendance goals, employed creativity in its delivery format, and innovation in highlighting five alumni-founded ventures for an alumni audience of almost 500. The event was designed specifically for Virginia Commonwealth University's alumni community, and crafted to reflect the "unique VCU entrepreneur ecosystem." The format serves as a gold standard for alumni pitch competitions that could be replicated at various scales and institutions. By engaging with local businesses to provide insight, funding and resources, the VCU Office of Alumni Relations was able to capitalize on a shoestring budget to effectively execute a, "catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation among (their) alumni community."
Pitch Competition
Category
Alumni Relations > Alumni Engagement on a Shoestring
Description
Grand Gold
Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University
Title of entry: Pitch Competition
About this entry: The inaugural VCU Alumni Pitch Competition provided a platform to showcase VCU alumni-founded ventures. Alumni had the opportunity to pitch their product, service or company idea to a panel of judges in front of an audience of fellow alumni, investors and VCU students, faculty and staff. A live and virtual audience of almost 500 watched five finalists compete for more than $15,000 in cash and business resources. Forty applicants from across the U.S. submitted pitch decks to a selection committee that whittled the group to five. The finalists had five minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges from the local business community.