The Entrepreneurial Studies Program in the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business will host MIT Enterprise Forum Pittsburgh’s upcoming Elevator Pitch Fest, a fast-paced competition in which participants are given 90 seconds to “sell” their business.
Jack Mason, director of the entrepreneurial studies program, will serve as moderator for the Pitch Fest, which will be held on Wednesday, May 14, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Bayer Learning Center.
Pitch Fest is similar to the ABC network’s Shark Tank show, where competitors make business pitches to a panel of experienced investors and business leaders.
Pittsburgh area entrepreneurs will participate in the initial 90-second speed round, where they will have the opportunity to gain exposure for their businesses and to connect with prospective C-level management, advisors, mentors, funders, employees and others.
Audience members will vote to determine which pitches will be selected to advance to the final round of five-minute presentations. Panelists representing Innovation Works, BlueTree Allied Angels, Draper Triangle Ventures and Thrill Mill Inc. will listen to pitches, provide finalists with detailed feedback and then select winners.
“Successful entrepreneurs know that they need this type of information in order to hone their presentations, fine-tune their business plans and, ultimately, to grow their businesses,” Mason said.
The winning presentation will receive a prize package, including the chance to pitch their business to the investor group BlueTree Allied Angels, among others.
General admission to the event is $25, student admission is $20 and free to Duquesne students with a valid student ID. The Entrepreneurial Studies Program and PMI Digital are co-sponsoring Pitch Fest.
For more information or to register, visit www.enterpriseforumpittsburgh.com.