March 30, 2007

Students, entrepreneurs compete to elevate business ventures

Nathalie Duval-Couetil
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Participants will give a two-minute "pitch" quickly describing their entrepreneurial business venture to a panel of judges. The competition is named for the way in which a concept would be presented to a potential financier on an elevator. 

"The objective is to convey all the essential information in a concise manner, while communicating in a tone that is likeable, passionate and credible," said Nathalie Duval-Couetil, associate director of the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship.

There will be two divisions: one for certificate program students and one for faculty entrepreneurs or representatives from Purdue Research Park companies.

"The competition has the added benefit of increasing awareness among students of the start-up resources available at Purdue Research Park," Duval-Couetil said. "Creating links between certificate program students and companies in the park can be key in the development of a strong entrepreneurship education program on campus."

Winners in each category will receive prizes of $1,000, $500 to second place and $250 to third.  The competition is sponsored by Otis Elevator Company and the law firm Bose McKinney and Evans.

"Some of our introductory entrepreneurship classes require elevator pitches as part of their coursework," said Hank Feeser, entrepreneurship instructor and program coordinator.  "Elevator pitches provide excellent practice for the real world and can be fun to watch."

For information and to register, see http://discoverypark.purdue.edu/
wps/portal/Entrepreneurship/Certificate_Elevator

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is open to all of Purdue's 30,000 undergraduate students, regardless of major.  Since its launch in fall 2005, more than 600 students have enrolled in certificate program courses.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Sources: Hank Feeser, (765) 494-1314, hank@entr200.com

Nathalie Duval-Couetil, (765) 494-7068, natduval@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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