High school students with big business pitch ideas and an interest in entrepreneurship will have the chance to step into the world of business innovation at Southeast Missouri State University this spring. The Harrison College of Business and Computing (HCBC) is hosting a free Business Pitch Competition on April 17 at 9:30 a.m. in Glenn Auditorium, located in Dempster Hall. This event is part of youth entrepreneurship programs designed to nurture business ideas for students.
“Business Pitch Competitions are great events for students to practice their creativity in solving a problem,” said Dr. Steven Stovall, professor of management and entrepreneurship at SEMO. “It requires quick thinking but also means that students have to develop a firm business pitch idea that stands out from others.”
Designed as a fast-paced, hands-on experience, the Business Pitch Competition invites students from across the region to collaborate, think creatively and put their problem-solving skills to the test. Participants will not only practice presenting business pitch ideas under pressure but also gain networking experience while engaging with peers and business professionals.
On the day of the pitch competition, registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a complimentary breakfast. Students will then hear from a local business owner, who will explain a current issue or problem their business is facing. Teams will have 45 minutes to brainstorm, collaborate and develop a three- to four-minute pitch that offers a compelling solution. SEMO faculty will act as “consultants” throughout the event, providing guidance and helping students refine their business pitch ideas.
Judges, including the local business owner and members of the local business community, will evaluate each pitch based on creativity, clarity, supporting evidence and overall professionalism. First, second and third-place winners will be announced and awarded prize packages during a luncheon.
Stovall says students will find this pitch contest to be a fun, engaging event that helps them understand the nature of family businesses, entrepreneurship, and solving problems creatively.
“This is emblematic of SEMO's business programs in that we provide hands-on learning to ensure our graduates are career ready,” says Stovall. “The more bullet points we can help students add to their resumes, the more opportunities they'll have to stand out from the crowd with recruiting managers.”
Ready to take your pitch contest ideas to the next level? Register individually or as a team of up to five students by completing the online registration form by April 3.
To learn more about how SEMO’s Harrison College of Business and Computing prepares students to turn ideas into action through hands-on, career-focused experiences, visit semo.edu/business-computing.