| Rules | Prizes | Sponsors | Rounds | Workshops | Contact Us | FAQ |
Student Entrepreneurs | Agents of Change is proud to announce the return of most anticipated business challenge of 2010 – IdeaPitch. Packed full with fantastic competitions, special guest judges, loads of pitching and with over $5000 in prizes to be won, this event is definitely one to mark down on your calendars!
The objective is simple – in groups of two or less, pitch your IDEA or STARTUP through a series of rounds, in a bid to book a place in the finals and win some fantastic prizes. It’s that easy!
The challenge, organised into FOUR rounds, aims to primarily develop the growing network of young entrepreneurship and vital pitching skills. The rounds range from a simple online questionnaire to the finals, where you will pitch in front of a panel of guest judges for 10 minutes!
If the prospect of pitch perfection doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are plenty of fantastic prizes to be won: Over $2000 in cash, consulting time with innovative firms, and more…
Whether you are a budding startup entrepreneur with an innovative idea or plan to be the next Zuckerberg wunderkid with a billion dollar business plan to boot – GET INVOLVED and register for ROUND ONE (Online Questionnaire) by 7pm Friday 27 August.
For more information, see our RULES & PRIZES links below. We will also be holding our traditional “IdeaPitch Information Session” on Wednesday 18 August (Babel Building, Room 106).
Pitch your idea, embrace the inner-entrepreneur.
Rules
General Competition Rules:
- A maximum of 2 people in a team
- Each team must consist of at least one current university student
- Teams may not employ a professional for the actual pitching
- No restriction on how many IDEAS a team(s) into the competition.
- Restriction to only one STARTUP per student/group.
- Each team must submit their answers to the online questionnaire by 7pm on 27th August 2010. Any other entries after this point will not be considered (no matter how good they are!)
Entrant Type Rules
Category One: Idea
Recommended to all students – simply think of a product/service with a bit of thought and a good selling point!
Category Two: Startup
Recommended for students with concept development under-way. Some examples of “startups” can be one of the following:
- Formulated Business strategy OR business plan
- Built a model OR plan of the desired product/service
- Completed Business registration OR business launch
- Established operation revenue OR profit
Judging Rules/Criteria:
Round One: Written Submission
Entrants will be judged upon the creativeness and logic of their answers. We are looking for good thought behind the IDEA or STARTUP and a genuine interest entrepreneurship.
Round Two: Online Video Submission
Each teams video pitch should concentrate on three key areas in their pitch:
- Core strengths of IDEA/STARTUP
- Feasibility of venture (how easy/difficult to operate)
- Future prospects of venture
Each entrant should be aware presentation delivery will also factor into judging.
Round Three and Four: Semi-Final Knockouts and Finals
The final two rounds of pitching will be based on the following 5 criteria:
- Pitch Delivery (30%)
- Feasibility of Venture (20%)
- Competitive & Operational Strength (20%)
- Originality and Innovation of Concept (20%)
- Socio-economic value (10%)
Terms and Conditions of Entry:
- The business idea that forms the basis of your entry must originate from one or more of the members of your team.
- If an idea has been patented by, or is the property of, a third party, the originator of the idea must agree in writing to the use of the idea by your team and must be expressly credited.
- The decisions of the Judging Panel in all rounds (One to Four) will be final. No communication will be entered into with any person in relation to any decision of the Judging Panel.
Prizes
Startup Winners $500 Cash
Idea Winners $300 Cash
Both also win
Consult with Venture Capitalist Firm ($750)
2 Tickets to Knowledge City World Summit ($900 each)
Startup Runners-Up
$150 Cash Consult with Venture Capitalist Firm ($750)
Idea Runners-Up
$150 Cash
Sponsors
Rounds
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 |
Online Submission: Due Friday, 27th August 2010 by 7pm
You will need to register through the online submission form. The following are the questions you will need to answer.
1. Every business entrepreneur begins with the aim of developing an idea/startup that will be both profitable & feasible (ease of development & launch). With this in mind, discuss how your venture could achieve both goals.
(150 words max)
2. Regarding your idea/startup, what areas do you believe are your venture’s operational & competitive strengths (key success factors)?
(100 words max)
3. Strategic planning is a critically important factor when developing a new venture. Following this, explain your venture’s strategy for the next 12 months (make sure to list key events such as launch, achieve operational profit, expansion, etc).
(100 words max)
4. In Australia, 4 out of 5 new ventures fail within a year; predominately due to poor contingency planning. Outline 2 major difficulties posing your venture and possible actions to alleviate this startup risk.
(150 words max)
Video Submission: Due Friday, 3rd September 2010 by 7pm
Each teams video pitch should concentrate on three key areas in their pitch:
- Core strengths of IDEA/STARTUP
- Feasibility of venture (how easy/difficult to operate)
- Future prospects of venture
Each entrant should be aware presentation delivery will also factor into judging.
Length of Pitch: 2 – 3 minutes
Instructions for Submission
1. Join this Youtube group (http://www.youtube.com/group/ideapitch2010)
2. Upload a video to Youtube. Include your Venture and Team name in the title
3. Select the “IdeaPitch 2010 – Video Submissions HERE” Topic
4. Submit your Video with your Youtube URL
Semi-Finals: Friday, 10th September 2010 (12pm – 2pm)
- Date: Friday, 10th September 2010
- Time: 12pm – 2pm
- Location: 207 Bouverie Street
- Duration: 5 minute Pitch
- Assessed by Guest Judges
- No AV equipment will be provided (no projector or computer in the rooms)
- Props are allowed (prototypes, models, you can bring a laptop to show a model/prototype, NO POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS ALLOWED)
IdeaPitch 2010 – Finals
Date: Friday, 17th September 2010
Time: 3pm – 6pm
Location: Medical Building, Level 3
REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED
IdeaPitch 2010 – Judges
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Since 1985, Robert’s professional motto has been Have Mouth, Will Travel, and during these years he has developed an international reputation as a groundbreaking and inspirational public speaker, leadership adviser, self-awareness teacher, and author.
Robert is the creator and managing director of RealTime Speaking, and the inventor of The Authenticity Accelerator. Robert has published seven books and more than 200 articles in magazines, journals, and newsletters throughout the world. He was commissioned to write original essays for three leading-edge anthologies. |
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Charlie has been the leader of Melbourne Ventures, the technology commercialisation company of the University of Melbourne, since its foundation in 2004. Melbourne Ventures provides specialist professional services to assist University of Melbourne academics with the commercialisation of their intellectual property, both through the creation of spin-off companies and through licensing deals. Melbourne Ventures is also responsible for management of the University of Melbourne’s patent and trademark portfolio, and provides a range of other services to the University community related to innovation and commercialisation. |
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The founding partner of Dynamic Horizons, Jason’s career in innovation facilitation began by leading the Orica LIVE WIRE program; an Innovation and New Business Venturing Program that engaged innovators within the organisation to develop entirely new businesses and business concepts.
In 2002 Jason established Dynamic Horizons, centred around the creation of value in Corporations from Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the development of Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leaders. |
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Jordan is an experienced executive, entrepreneur, engineer, venture capitalist and Angel investor. He has over twenty-seven years experience in growing and advising technology oriented companies in Australia, USA, Asia and Europe. A Silicon Valley software veteran, Jordan was a founding partner of one of the best performing venture capital fund managers in Australia, he is co-founder and Deputy Chairman of the Australian Association of Angel Investors and Jordan founded and leads Angel investor group, Melbourne Angels Inc. |
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Dr. Danielle Chielewski-Raimondo is a Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Melbourne. She has awarded several awards such as Dean’s Certificate for Excellent Postgraduate Teaching (2003, 2005 – 2008), Dean’s Certificate for Excellent Undergraduate Teaching (2003 – 2008), Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) for PhD Research. She is also a professional member of the reputable Society for Marketing Advances (SMA) and the Australian Marketing Institute. |
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Paul Kofman received his PhD (Economics) from Erasmus University in 1991. He was appointed as a lecturer in the Econometrics Department at Monash University in 1994 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1996. He was subsequently appointed as an associate professor at UNSW and professor at UTS, Sydney. He was appointed at the University of Melbourne in 2001. He is also the Younger Researcher Programme director of the ARC Financial Integrity Research Network. |
IdeaPitch 2010 – Finalists
Ideas
KARMArket – Veronica Nguyen & Uyen Nguyen
Communication – Carl Burnham
Convertible Heels – Rachel Yap
Hydration Station – Mike Reid
Startups
GAMSAT Ready – Raymond Wen & Andrew Lin
TE.S.L.A. - Vibushan Lakshminarayan
Distinction - James Eunson & Yuri Feldman
Co-Pundit – Ed Cheng
IdeaPitch 2010 – Finals Agenda
Schedule:
- 3:10 PM - Welcome Speech
- 3:15 PM – Idea Pitches
- 4:00 PM - Break and Intermission
- 4:15 PM – Startup Pitches
- 5:00 PM – President’s Address
- 5:15 PM – Awards Presentation
- 5:35 PM – Closing Speech
Workshops
Speak for Effect!
Summary
Participants will learn a way of thinking and speaking which is audience-centered and built on The Five Ps: Preparation, Purpose, Product, Point, Passion! They will be introduced to the RealTime Speaking Flight Plan, a clarifying and organizing tool, a template to generate audience-centric presentations.
Information
- You will need to register for this workshop. Only the first 30 people to register will be permitted to attend the workshop. Register here.
- Time: 12pm – 4pm
- Date: 5th September 2010
- Where: ICT Building, Room 20
Speaking with Confidence
Summary
The emphasis of this workshop is on understanding and practicing specific verbal and nonverbal speaking behaviours which communicate confidence and credibility.
Information
- This workshop is only available for the finalists of IdeaPitch 2010.
- Time: 10am – 4pm
- Date: 12th September 2010
- Where: ICT Building, Room 20
Contact Us
If you have any other questions, please email hi@agentsofchange.org.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the judges or organisers steal my idea?
No. All judges and organisers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement and are not allowed to disclose any information about your ideas without prior permission.
Who can I contact for general enquires?
Please email hi@agentsofchange.org.au
How can I get involved?
For university students:
- Participate in IdeaPitch and win prizes!
- Volunteer to help out at an event and gain a more in-depth networking opportunity – potential volunteers should email alex@agentsofchange.org.au
- Join the Student Entrepreneurs mailing list to become part of the Melbourne’s university entrepreneurship community
For alumni, businesses and other members of the community who would like to be involved:
- Sponsor IdeaPitch – please contact aravinth@agentsofchange.org.au
- Donate prizes for the IdeaPitch winners
- Nominate judges for IdeaPitch Semi-finals or Finals
Who runs IdeaPitch?
| Project Advisor | Adrian Chong |
| Sponsorship Manager | Aravinth Balu |
| Operations Manager | Alex Bicknell |
| Marketing Manager | Alex Lee |
| Webmaster | Nishant Mehrotra |
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