ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - A collaborative group of 15 colleges and universities, including Winthrop University, have come together to host SC Innovates 2021, the second annual statewide student pitch competition in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week. The S.C. Department of Commerce and S.C. Research Authority (SCRA) also are collaborating in the competition.
Any student enrolled in at least a one-credit course this fall at a South Carolina-based college or university is eligible to enter the competition, which opens this week and closes Sunday, Oct. 24.
“This competition is designed for students ready to dig into a promising business idea or launch a social enterprise,” said Jennifer Miles of Winthrop’s College of Business Administration. “We encourage undergraduate, graduate and professional students to develop and pitch their innovative idea (virtually) in the SC Innovates Pitch Competition.”
This statewide student pitch competition is an opportunity to showcase the untapped talent in the state’s colleges and universities. “We are excited to see which business ideas emerge. Our mission is fueling South Carolina’s innovation economy, and we see this as an opportunity to explore the pipeline of things to come,” said Bob Quinn, SCRA executive director.
At least $10,000 of prize money will be awarded for the ideas that have the most potential. Ideas will be developed online in StartupWind, using an idea concept card, a pitch deck and a pitch video. Teams may comprise of 1-3 members.
Ideas will be judged by a volunteer team of seasoned entrepreneurs and investors based on how well the team articulates: (1) the problem; (2) the solution; (3) the revenue model; (4) the social/environmental impact; (5) to what extent is the business idea innovative (novel, unique, unconventional); and (6) to what extent is the business idea feasible (realistic, implementable, commercially viable).
Entries, including idea concept card, pitch deck and pitch video, are due Sunday, Oct. 24, at 11:59 EST on StartupWind.
Semi-finalists will be announced the week following, and will present at the Live Virtual Finale on Wednesday, Nov. 12, which is free and open to all participants and the public.
Visit the webpage to get started on the application.
For more information, please contact Miles at milesj@winthrop.edu.
