Do you have an idea for a new business or product? We want to hear it! Apply now and compete in the Nicolet College Pitch Event. Presenters have four minutes to pitch their idea and two minutes for Q&A. The top-prize winner will receive $250! Second place wins $150 and third place $100.

Our top two (2) prize winners will advance to compete against contestants from other two-year campuses at the NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge on April 27. Prize money for first place at the regional event is $1,000.

Download and complete the registration by 5pm Friday, April 7th.

Email completed registration to Curt Drumm at cdrumm@nicoletcollege.edu.

Hosted by the Nicolet College Business Division and sponsored by the Nicolet College Foundation and Kwik Trip.

Event Details & Parameters

Eligibility

• This is a 2-part pitch competition. The first round will be held locally at Nicolet College. The top two finishers will be able to advance to the Regional competition.
• Contestants must be enrolled as a student at Nicolet College in any area of study in the current academic year (degree, technical diploma or certificate program, individual coursework, or other for-credit education) and have a valid student ID number.
• Individual or Team presentations are permitted.
• This is a “Business idea” style pitch event, encouraging students from all areas of Nicolet College with a business idea to compete.  
• The business idea being pitched cannot have raised more than $20,000 in funding or have earned more than $20,000 in revenue.
• There is no requirement on the potential scalability of business ideas. 
• Lifestyle, products (manufactured or sold) or service businesses are acceptable.
• You must be available to PITCH the idea to judges in-person at Nicolet College at 6pm April 12, 2023.
• Top two (2) local Nicolet prize winners are able to advance to the Regional competition on April 27th.
• Complete the PITCH COMPETITION Registration Form by 5pm Friday, April 7th. and submit via e-mail to cdrumm@nicoletcollege.edu.  Nicolet participants will be notified with details.

Pitch Structure

• Individuals/teams will prepare a four (4) minute action-oriented pitch about a business idea.
• The Pitch should be designed to sell the idea to an investor and/or lender.
• A maximum of five (5) PowerPoint slides, or other visual aids, are encouraged.
• Formal presentation materials or a complete business plan are not required.
• Judges (3 total) may ask up to three (3) questions.
• Responses to the questions must be limited to two minutes.
• The order of the pitches will be randomly selected prior to the competition.
• Personalized coaching from Nicolet business/entrepreneurship instructors is available.
• The focus of the event is education, not publicity.

Local Pitch Competition at Nicolet College on April 12th

• Nicolet College will host our local competition on Wednesday, April 12th at 5:00pm (on campus.)
• A panel of three (3) judges shall select the top three (3) overall best pitches.
• Cash prizes are awarded to first place ($250), second place ($150), and third place ($100).
• The top two (2) Nicolet winners will advance to compete at the regional NEW Idea Pitch Challenge.

NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge with seven Regional 2-year WTCS Colleges on April 27th

• NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge will be held at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac on April 27th from 4-7pm. You may travel on your own or carpool, or Nicolet may provide transportation if needed.
• There will be two contestants from each of seven WTCS colleges, for a total of 14 contestants.
• A panel of three (3) judges shall select the four (4) overall best pitches.
• Cash prizes are awarded to first place ($1000), second place ($500), third place ($250), and fourth prize ($100). Contestants placing 5th – 14th will receive a $50 Kwik Trip Gift Card as a Participation Award.   

Additional Information

• There are no restrictions on prize money awarded to students for either event.  Students may use the money however they wish. The contest will distribute W-9 or other tax documentation required by the IRS.
• Special thanks to the Nicolet College Foundation for sponsoring the local prize money, and to Kwik Trip for the gift cards. Regional competition prize money is sponsored by participating colleges.
• For further information, contact Curt Drumm, Business and Entrepreneurship Instructor at Nicolet College at cdrumm@nicoletcollege.edu.