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ACADEMICS | INSTITUTES & CENTERS

IDEA CHALLENGE STUDENT RESOURCES

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The Idea Challenge inspires creativity amongst first-year ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ students by asking a simple question: What new product or service, big or small, could change the world? Each fall semester, first-year business, computer science, engineering, and nursing students pitch ideas in their introductory courses. The top teams present at the Idea Challenge Finals on Wednesday, November 20 and compete for a grand prize of $1,000. 

Overview

  • Students work on teams of 3-6
  • Pitches may be no more than two minutes in length
  • No presentation aids are permitted. This includes slide decks, handouts, prototypes, etc. 
  • Pitches should answer the following questions:
    • What problem or opportunity have you identified?
    • What is your solution?
    • How big is the potential market?
    • How will you generate revenue?
  • Pitches are evaluated on the following:
    • Clarity of the idea
      • How clearly was the idea communicated? 
    • Problem solution fit
      • Does the solution solve the stated problem?
    • Understanding of feasibility
      • This doesn’t mean the idea needs to be 100% feasible; rather, does the team understand what it will take to bring the idea to market? 
    • Quality of presentation
      • Were the presenters prepared and engaging? 
  • There is no competition-wide theme; however, individual instructors may choose to implement one for their section. We encourage students to THINK BIG. 
  • The top team from each section competes at the Idea Challenge Finals on Wednesday, November 20 @ 5pm in the ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Room.
  • Contact IIE Assistant Director, Stephen Green, with any questions. 
  • Register your team by completing the . 
  • Familiarize yourself with the rules and structure of the Idea Challenge by reviewing this . 
  • Learn the basics of how to pitch. We've created a  to help get you on the right path.
  • Here's an  from Metal No More, the winner of the 2022 Idea Challenge. 
  • Your instructor will schedule in-class pitches.
    • In lieu of in class pitches, nursing students pitch at the Idea Challenge Nursing Semifinals on 11/4. 
  • After each team pitches, you'lll evaluate them on the criteria stated above by filling out this . 
    • Complete the voting form once for each team.
    • Do not complete a form for your team.
  • If time allows, your instructor may allow a minute or two for Q&A following each pitch.
  • Instructors will announce the winner and runner up.  
  • Students can view their tallies and comments by navigating to this . 
  • IIE will send information to the top two teams about when to pick up their Villanoava swag item and the winning team information about pitching at the Idea Challenge Finals on Wednesday, November 20 @ 5pm. 
  • Section Prizes:
    • Every member of the winning and runner up team from each section receives ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ swag. 
    • The top team from each section is invited to compete at the Idea Challenge Finals on Monday, November 13 @ 5pm in the ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Room. 
  • Idea Challenge Finals Prizes
    • Grand prize: $1,000
    • 2nd, 3rd, and crowd choice winners: $100 university bookstore gift cards. 
    • A resource for instructors to introduce the Challenge to students.
    • Tips for students on how to construct their pitch.
    • Each team must register prior to pitching!
    • Students fill out a voting form for each team. They'll evaluate students on the three criteria and leave comments. 
    • Students can view their tallies and comments by loggin in with the first and last name of the Lead Team Member. 
    • If you're having trouble with registration, voting, or logging into the feedback portal, this video is for you!

IDEA LAB

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