Ithaca College

The finals for the 2nd Annual Business Idea Competition, sponsored by the School of Business, are this Thursday, November 8, from 2-4 p.m. in Emerson Suites. This event is open to all students, faculty, and staff, as well as general public.

Twelve teams will be making their final pitches for their chance to win a share of $25,000. Open to all Ithaca College students, teams have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow students, interact with alumni, faculty and staff, all while competing for a total purse of $55,000.

With the help from alumnus Chris Burch ’76, along with the School of Business and local entrepreneurs, students now have a platform to jumpstart their entrepreneurial endeavors. Three first place prizes of $5,000 each will be awarded, with smaller amounts given for second, third and fourth places, totaling $25,000. All finalists have an opportunity for an additional funding that meets milestones for continuing with their idea.

“We're delighted to hold our second Business Idea Competition finals and are highly appreciative of the wonderful support that alum Chris Burch as given us for this initiative. The increase in student participation this year as well as the high quality of the presentations in the semi-finals testifies to the strong interest that Ithaca College students have in entrepreneurship and business start-ups." said Mary Ellen Zuckerman, Dean of the School of Business.

Weekly coaching sessions were held by instructors Tom Schryver and Brad Treat, which covered topics from brainstorming to structuring a pitch, to practicing presentations skills. Twenty-six teams made preliminary pitches to judges where the twelve finalists were selected.

Please visit the Business Idea Competition site for list of finalists and schedule. Award ceremony will follow the final presentations.

If you're unable to attend the finals, you can watch live online via LiveStream.  Go to: www.livestream.com/ithacacollege to watch live.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Paul Deamer at pdeamer@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-1279. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.