Elevator Pitch
– no PPT slides just your creative and passionate words
– 1 MINUTE

• Focus on the big idea
• 10 seconds – what can you say about your product to get the audience’s attention
• 10 - 15 seconds - Explain what the pain is in the marketplace
• 15 - 20 seconds - State what the innovation does and why it is unique (how it solves the pain)
• 20 seconds - Explain the value proposition (the key benefits for the customer)
• Memorize the pitch – don’t read
• You may use a prop if you can carry it on and off the stage
• Keep to approximately 200 words (1100 words in typed format)
• Ensures an appropriate pace without rushing
• The key is that the listener understands the innovation… don’t talk too quickly or provide too much information
• Avoid technical language/terms that the listener might not understand
• Use analogies
• For example, if you are conveying an idea to provide national certification for lab technicians, say, “it is like a CPA for lab techs.”
• Express excitement and passion for the innovation
• How will you change lives, a market, or at least make the end-users’ lives better?
• Be believable
• Avoid unsupported generalities or huge numbers that cause the listener to question your credibility
• Strive for the “Wow!” or “That’s cool!” reaction from the audience – leave them wanting more information (a second “date”)
• There will be 2-3 Minutes of Q&A from the judges after your pitch. Answer their questions clearly but concisely. You want as many questions as possible.

Finalists Round
– maximum of 5 PPT slides
– 5 MINUTES

• Provide more detail on the product and the market
• Re-emphasize the pain in the marketplace
• Describe more fully what your product does – not techie, 3rd grade level
• Explain how the product is unique relative to current solutions
• Revolutionary (brand new) vs. evolutionary (better mousetrap)?
• Discuss benefits rather than features of the innovation – engineers design by features but customers buy benefits
• What’s the potential of this idea and how big is the market?
• Discuss market potential in terms of number of customers or even gross revenue, but don’t discuss profits, ROI or funding needed
• Describe how you will get the product to market
• Don’t forget to stress the “coolness” of the idea and how it changes a market or people’s lives
• Presentation style tips
• Utilize the “6 x 6 Rule”
• Maximum of six one-line bullets per PowerPoint with six words per bullet
• Present any data clearly
• Charts and graphs are preferable to tabular data
• Avoid fancy type faces (e.g. Harlow Solid Italic)
• Choose colors carefully as some do not show well on screen
• Proofread!
• Maintain good eye contact – don’t read a speech
• Smile, enjoy and have fun!!!
• Q&A with the judges will be up to 5 minutes following your presentation