• Application opens: April 5, 2024
• Weekly Online Information Sessions: Every Thursday at 1 pm.
• Application Deadline: September 2024
• Competition Final Event: October 2024

• Open to all students at UT Tyler.
• Successful teams need members who are enthusiastic about an idea and curious about developing an idea into a marketable product or business.
• Individuals are NOT required to have a team.
• Company formation is not a requirement to enter the competition, but competitors are welcome and encouraged to take their ideas to the next level.
• This competition is designed to help students think of business/product ideas that could be successful in the real world.
• Teams are encouraged to continue working on their ideas and prepare to participate in our Business Model Competition (Spring semesters).
• You do not need to have customers yet!

1. Submit your application.
2. Attend at least one info session for general info and tips.
3. Request a one-on-one meeting to polish your presentation.
4. You are ready for the competition.

What does a presentation look like?

• Problem/Opportunity: Do you provide evidence of a significant problem/opportunity for innovation in the marketplace? How big is the problem?
• What is the current solution?
• What is your solution? Why is it better?

Presentation Tips:

• Gets a stranger excited about your idea.
• Uses simple language.
• Includes a concise phrase that captures the value of your idea.
• Is executed in ~60 seconds!

A panel of community leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and potential investors will be volunteering to judge at the Big Idea Pitch.

Students will not be asked questions during presentations; the judging of the presentations will be as follows:

1. Was the presentation executed in less than 60 seconds?
2. Did it clearly explain the current pain/problem/opportunity the idea seeks to capitalize on?
3. Did it clearly explain the current solution (if any) offered in the marketplace?
4. Did it clearly explain the proposed solution and why it is better?

Judges will select the best two presentations of each track as winners.

Two tracks (two winners in each track):

• 1st place: TBD
• 2nd place: TBD

All prize winners are subject to tax withholding.

Aligned with our other programs and competitions, The Big Ida Pitch aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students and equip them with knowledge and skills essential to not only launch successful ventures but also contribute value to existing companies.

• Students are encouraged to apply early so they have time to prepare for the presentation.
• Our team can help you prepare your presentation for the competition.
• We host weekly info sessions every Thursday at 1 pm.
• Book a one-on-one meeting that works for you!

• Students presenting at the Big Idea Pitch are responsible for protecting any information concerning their ideas and what they share with advisors, team members, judges, and fellow competition participants. ETX Launchpad takes no responsibility for unwanted disclosures.
• We will help students prepare their presentations to avoid unwanted disclosures, but students take full responsibility and need to be careful about disclosing information concerning proprietary concepts.
• Neither the ETX Launchpad nor the University of Texas at Tyler takes any ownership in an idea or plan presented at the Big Idea Pitch competition.

Andy Alvarado Mora
Associate Director
ETX Launchpad

Phone: 903-565-6459
Email: aalvarado@uttyler.edu
Office: COB 223.01