Student Information

Cash prizes totaling $5,000!


REGISTER

All teams, including collaborative capstone teams, must register to be in the competition. By registering, your team is agreeing to be present and participate in all aspects of the competition. More details below.

CLOSED


COACHING SIGN-UP

Signing up for a Coaching Session is mandatory for all teams, using your team email address. At least one coaching session is mandatory. See below for details.


FOLLOW-UP COACHING

Your team may sign up for an additional coaching session, if needed. Recommended but not mandatory. See below for details.


General Competition Information

What: 7th Annual Elevator Pitch Competition - Teams or individuals will present 90-second pitches for their concept. The pitches will describe the designs, the problem or need being solved, the competitive advantages, and the commercial potential of the venture.

Who: This competition is open to ANY Rice undergraduate student or undergraduate team with a business concept or idea. Entries may be at any stage of development.

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015

Time: 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm - (teams should check-in by 4:10 pm)

Where: Shell Auditorium - Jones School - Rice University

Dress code: Business Attire 

Refreshments: Soft drinks and pizza will be available starting at 3:45pm, during check-in. For those who may miss dinner, show up early if you want pizza. Please check-in at the registration desk before you get your pizza. Light Food, soft drinks and coffee will be served during the Feedback Reception starting immediately after the presentations, around 6:15pm. All of this will take place in the Anderson Family Commons near the Shell Auditorium.


Agenda:

4:00 – 4:25 pm:  Check-in at Registration Desk (Shell Auditorium Lobby)

4:30 – 4:40 pm:  Introductions and Acknowledgments (Shell Auditorium)

4:40 – 6:15 pm:  Teams present their Elevator Pitches (Shell Auditorium)

6:15 – 7:00 pm:  Reception and Judge feedback (Anderson Family Commons)

7:00 – 7:30 pm:  Final Acknowledgments Winners Announced (Anderson Family Commons)


Contact:
 If you have any questions about the competition logistics, please contact Amy Kavalewitz at amy.k@rice.edu or 713-348-8065.

Elevator Pitch

The teams will each prepare an elevator pitch about their design project. In this presentation you will emphasize the business aspects of your project. This elevator pitch will be no longer than 90 seconds and will be delivered by one member of your team. All team members should participate in developing the text for the pitch.

Team presentation guidelines:

  - Teams should not read their elevator pitch presentation

  - Teams MAY have a “crib sheet” in front of them, but this is NOT encouraged.   Judges will generally mark down a presenter that appears to be reading his/her presentation.

  - Teams may have a hand-held “prop”, if it is appropriate and helps demonstrate their project.  However, we don’t encourage the use of a “prop”, because it can be distracting, and take time away from the key messages in the pitch.  

  - Teams may NOT use any PowerPoint slides.

  - Teams will stand behind the podium and must speak into the microphone.   Do not move in front of the podium. We recommending speaking in a strong voice, and keeping 6 to 10 inches from the microphone.

***There is more downloadable information below***

Coaching


***VERY IMPORTANT - Please read through carefully!***

IT IS MANDATORY for each to team to participate in a coaching session prior to the competition.  If you do not sign-up for coaching, you will not be eligible to participate. Coaching will take place on Monday, November 9th and Tuesday, November 10th. The whole team is NOT expected to attend this session. These times get filled up fast, so signing up sooner is better!  When signing up for coaching, use your team email address; or for non-capstone teams please use your lead contact's email address. If you CANNOT sign up for the 9th or 10th - you may select a time on the 11th,  however this will not allow time for a follow up coaching that is often recommended for teams.

Also, you have the option to sign up for a second follow-up coaching on Wednesday, November 11th.
This is highly recommended. 
 Only the individual who will give the elevator pitch is required to attend this session. 

Come to Elevator Pitch coaching sessions in the OEDK with your pitch already prepared.

Use the 2nd Elevator Pitch coaching session to get feedback on your delivery of a polished elevator pitch – it’s optional, but will make a difference


Feedback Session

The purpose of the feedback session is to provide coaching, mentoring and advice to the teams to enhance their learning experience.  

Feedback Session and Reception will run as follows:
  • Judges and Students will gather in the Anderson Family Commons room
  • Refreshments will be available.
  • Each team must use the Signature Sheet given to them at the time of team check-in to gather signatures from judges they seek feedback from. One Signature Sheet per team.  Goal is to get at least 5 signatures.
  • Judges are asked to go around the room and provide feedback to a few teams. Please sign the team's Signature Card at the time of giving feedback.
  • Advice from judges should be of a constructive nature about the project, problem or pitch.
  • ALL TEAMS WHO GET 5 SIGNATURES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $250 prize drawing.  Teams should turn in their Signature Cards in the box near the Podium in the reception hall - Anderson Family Commons.

Downloads and Videos

Contact us

Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
Rice University

6100 Main Street MS 390 | Houston, Texas | 77005

Phone: 713.348.OEDK

Email: oedk@rice.edu

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