Top Quality Pitches at the New Venture Challenge Track Finals
New Venture Challenge track finals are happening this week, and the excitement and tension is thick.Ìý The level of competition has never been higher,Ìýwith over 125 teams competing across four tracks, and many of them are very strong contenders. This is the tenth year for the New Venture Challenge, the largest cross-campus venture competition at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· and it's open to anyone with a Buffcard.
Last nightÌýwas the track finals for Creative Industries and IT.Ìý Seasoned entrepreneurial staff and faculty at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·Ìýremarked about how impressed they were byÌýthe finalists.Ìý Sally Hatcher exclaimed,
"I really couldn't be more impressed with the outstanding quality of ideas AND pitches from all 9 teams in the IT track tonight!Ìý Ridiculously good!Ìý Several would compare well to teams at Techstars, Boomtown, and Mergelane."
Other staff members are glowing with pride and are noticing how entrepreneurship is gaining momentum across campus, especially in capstone courses where entrepreneurship is becoming a requirement.
Teams have been working intensely for months to get ready for the semi-finals and finals.Ìý GlobalÌýentrepreneurs in residence along with community mentors and ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· staff have been hosting workshops on campus and coaching teams to help them polish their ideas, do more research, and give feedback.ÌýAt this year's track finals, many of the finalists haveÌýfemale founders, and teams are showing strong background knowledge in market verticals andÌýcustomer acquisition, as well as demonstratingÌýexcellent public speaking.