Pitch Johnny Competition

Pitch Johnny Competition 2019 is open to all students at St. John’s University.

Apply Now

Do you have an interest in entrepreneurship? Or an innovative idea you want to pitch? What about a problem to solve? Want to hear feedback and network with industry professionals who own and operate businesses? Enter now to gain practice essential to entrepreneurship and pitching innovations, a chance to win a cash prize, and access to our CPS Innovation Lab.

Pitch Johnny Details:

Each team will consist of no more than four persons*
Each team will choose ONE of the following tracks:
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- Women
- Veteran
- Non-profit
Each team will have two - three minutes to present their pitch to the judges.
Teams will receive feedback and support in the preparation of their pitch.
Prizes:
- 1st Place: $1300
- 2nd Place: $700
- 3rd Place: $500
- Top 3 teams will also be invited to attend a one-on-one coaching session with an expert.

*Due to time constraints, no more than two persons can verbally give the pitch during the competition.

Apply for the Pitch Johnny Competition.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email. Please do not forget to submit your 200 word essay OR a 2 minute video on your pitch idea for the screening process.

Application Open: September 4, 2019

Deadline to submit essay or video entry: October 21, 2019

Date of Competition: November 16, 2019

Pitch Johnny Information:

Date: November 16, 2019

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: St. Augustine Hall, Second Floor; CPS Lab and Conference Room.

Breakfast and Lunch will be served.

Students with further questions about Pitch Johnny please contact:
Kevin James or Christine Munch
St. Augustine Hall, Second Floor
[email protected]

For further questions about judging or sponsoring Pitch Johnny please contact:
Luca Iandoli
St. Augustine Hall, 2-136
[email protected]
718-990-6414

Additional Information

What is Pitch Johnny?

The Pitch Johnny Competition is the start of St. John's University's new entrepreneurial initiatives organized by the College of Professional Studies. The competition will take place this fall semester and is open to all students. This is an opportunity to present your innovative idea, get valuable feedback from industry professionals and win a cash prize, up to $1,000.

Who can enter the competition?

Pitch Johnny is open to all students.

What can I pitch?

There is no exact subject or theme the Pitch needs to be about. It can be about anything. Here are a few concepts that might be helpful. You can pitch about:

A new invention
A new type of business
A new idea or product that can solve an issue or problem
A new technological idea
A product, such as a toy or game or app

The ideas are endless!

What is the application process? How do I submit my application?

There is a twostep application process.

Go www.stjohns.edu/pitchjohnny
Click “Apply for the Pitch Johnny Competition”
Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email. Do not forget to submit a 200 word essay OR a 2 minute video on your pitch idea for the prescreening process. (Teams who do not submit summary/video by 11:59pm on October 15^th are subjected to disqualification). *Note this is not a pitch, but a summary of the proposed idea.

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email, and will be notified no later than October 31^st of your team’s status in the competition.

What must my prescreening entry include?

Essay: Either single or double spaced, 1 inch margins. 12pt font and should be 200 words max, summarizing your proposed idea/concept

Video: Should be 2 minutes max, summarizing your proposed idea/concept

Summaries are not considered your final pitch, but rather are summaries of your idea and what you wish to accomplish.

If I choose a video entry, do I have to be in the video?

No you do not.

When are the deadlines?

TASK	DEADLINE
Sign Up for the Pitch Johnny Competition	September 1^st – October 15^th
Submit Video or Summary for Prescreening Committee (Round 1)	October 15^th
All Teams will be notified as to whether they move on to Semi Finals or not.	October 31^st
Pitch Johnny Competition, St. Augustine Hall, Second Floor, 8:30am	November 10^th

Does it cost anything to participate?

Our group has two ideas. Can we submit two applications?

Each team must choose only ONE track to compete in and because of time constraints, each team can only pitch ONE pitch.

However, teams can compete again next year if they continue to meet the requirements

What will teams be scored on?

Teams will be equally scored on:

Idea/Business Concept
Market Need
Value Proposition
Feasibility
Passion & Presentation

Please review the Criteria Definitions

What happens at the pitch competition?

If selected, teams pitches will be made to a panel of judges. Judges will deliberate and score teams after all teams have pitched. See more detail format below:

Each team will receive 15 minutes total for presentation and feedback:

Pitch to Judges (2 – 3 minutes)
Judge’s Questions/Feedback/Suggestions (10 minutes)
Team Transition (1 minute)

Judges will deliberate and score teams after all teams have pitched. Winners of each track will move on to final round with the same fomat/time alloted as above.

First, Second, and Third Place winners will be chosen after.

What should my pitch consist of?

You pitch should answer the following questions:

Am I demonstrating a market need that needs to be addressed?
Is my idea/concept addressing this market need/solving the problem?
Who are my competitors and how do I differentiate myself from them?
Have I explained how my idea/business will work?
Is my pitch idea/concept clear and concise?
Does my audience understand my idea/concept?
Is my idea/concept feasible?
Have I proved there will be traction with my idea/concept?
Have I demonstrated my expertise on this subject matter?

What can I win?

Up to $1,000!

Access to CPS’ Innovation Labs

One-on-one coaching session with an expert

Are there any more rules that I need to know?

Please review the Pitch Johnny Rules & Expectations Packet.

Who can I contact if I have other questions?

Students with further questions about Pitch Johnny please contact:
Kevin James or Natasha Moses
St. Augustine Hall, Second Floor
[email protected]
718-990-6414

For further questions about judging or sponsoring Pitch Johnny please contact:
Luca Iandoli
St. Augustine Hall, 2-135
[email protected]
718-990-6414

You will find the expectations of your pitch below, as well as suggestions for what your pitch must answer. Remember these are merely suggestions, however teams will be scored on specific aspects of their pitch. See our FAQs above for scoring details.

Expectations

The proposed pitch must be an original idea.
The proposed pitch should not be longer than 2-3 minutes.
The Pitch Johnny Committee will not provide visual aid or sound to teams (such as physical products, presentation boards, displays, stands, speakers, etc.) However, visual aids, and other related items (i.e. product sample/promotional material) for the pitch idea are acceptable.
Please note that, although flashcards are acceptable, they are not recommended.

Your pitch should answer the following questions:

Am I demonstrating a market need that needs to be addressed?
Is my idea/concept addressing this market need/solving the problem?
Who are my competitors and how do I differentiate myself from them?
Have I explained how my idea/business will work?
Is my pitch idea/concept clear and concise?
Does my audience understand my idea/concept?
Is my idea/concept feasible?
Have I proved there will be traction with my idea/concept?
Have I demonstrated my expertise on this subject matter?