The Bob Mark Business Model Competition provides a venue for students of all majors to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas before an audience and a panel of judges. Prior to the competition, students receive coaching from business professionals to hone their ideas and improve their pitches.
In the competition, students have four minutes to sell a concept to someone who doesn’t have previous knowledge about their business. Winners receive prizes to help them start their business and attract attention to their ideas.
The event is a tribute to the late Bob Mark, Professor of Practice within the College of Business. Mark started and ran the first four years of the Elevator Pitch Competition and brought the Business Plan Competition to Michigan Tech. The Bob Mark Elevator Pitch Competition and other efforts support his entrepreneurial spirit that continues to live on in students, faculty, and staff.
Advice from Bob Mark
- Do not say “we have no competition.”
- If you are stating guessed numbers, try using 3, 7, or 9 to make the numbers sound more realistic.
- Memorize your first and last statements, let everything in the middle flow naturally.
- Be confident in everything you say and avoid terms such as “maybe.”
- There is an audience favorite prize so invite all of your friends to vote for you!
Learn more about how you can support The Bob Mark Business Model Competition