Pitch Johnny Competition

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Pitch Johnny Competition 2019 is open to all students at St. John’s University and selected High School Students.
 

 

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Pitch Johnny Winners
Pitch Johnny 2018 

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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, scholarship money, 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
    • High School Student (Only open to current High School Students)***
  • 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.
     
  • Cash Prizes:
    • 1st Place: $1300
    • 2nd Place: $700
    • 3rd Place: $500

Other reasons to apply:

  • Learn how to pitch your idea.
  • Get visibility and valuable feedback from experts and investors.
  • Convert your idea into a business plan (in collaboration with The Peter J. Tobin College of Business), giving you fast track access to the James and Eileen Christmas Business Plan Competition. (Only open to current SJU Students)
  • The winner receives scholarship money for the Global Development Entrepreneurship Program and the opportunity to possibly be selected for the BIG EAST Startup Challenge. (Only open to current SJU Students)

*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

High School Deadline to submit essay or video entry: October 14, 2019
SJU Student 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.
Open to all St. John's University Students, High School students may compete at the main competition if selected, but must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian, if they are under the age of 18. 

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 Collins 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 $1,300.

Who can enter the competition?

Open to all St. John's University Students and High School Students
High School students may compete at the main competition, and if selected, must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian, if they are under the age of 18. 

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 two-step application process.

  1. Go www.stjohns.edu/pitchjohnny
  2. Click “Apply for the Pitch Johnny Competition”
  3. 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 21st 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 31st 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 4th – October 21st 

Submit Video or Summary for Prescreening Committee (Round 1)

October 21st 

All Teams will be notified as to whether they move on to Semi Finals or not.

October 31st 

Pitch Johnny Competition, St. Augustine Hall, Second Floor, 8:30am

November 16th 

Does it cost anything to participate?

No

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 (PDF)

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 format/time allotted 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:

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

What can I win?

Up to $1,300!

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 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, 2-135
[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 

  1. The proposed pitch must be an original idea.
  2. The proposed pitch should not be longer than 2-3 minutes.
  3. 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.
  4. Please note that, although flashcards are acceptable, they are not recommended.

Your pitch should answer the following questions:

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

See also: Criteria Definitions (PDF).

You are welcome to, and definitely not limited to, view the following links for tips on pitching your innovative idea.

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Read:

USA TODAY: 10 Tips for Making the Perfect Pitch