Grossman School of Business

Business Pitch Competition

The UVM Business Pitch Competition

About the UVM Business Pitch Competition

The annual UVM Business Pitch competition challenges students to present their business ideas and concepts to a panel of judges. UVM students who have innovative and impactful plans to start and grow either a business or a mission-driven organization are invited to apply. The presentation and pitch must demonstrate a viable business solution and plan that addresses an existing consumer need, or can create one, identifies a target market, and outlines the operational and management plan for success. The winning business teams walk away with cash prizes.

2024 Competition Details

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 5 - 8 p.m. in the Keller Room of Kalkin/Ifshin Hall
7-minute pitch followed by 5-minute expert Q&A
Prizes awarded in five categories:
- Four (4) $600 “Best of” Awards:
  - Best Pitch (verbal and visual)
  - Most Launch Ready (working prototypes, preliminary sales)
  - Most Sustainable (environmental and/or social)
  - Most Innovative Technology (software and/or hardware)
- One (1) $600 People’s Choice Award, sponsored by the UVM's Entrepreneurship club!
- One (1) $1,200 Grand Prize

How to Enter

Prepare a “7-minute” slide deck which outlines:
- Unique value created, industry & competitor analysis, key customers & stakeholders, operational model, financial plan, and growth potential.
Submit a “draft” slide deck for consideration to your college/school’s coordinator by Thursday April 4, 2024 by 4 p.m.
- GSB (Erik Monsen), RSENR (Dave Kaufman), CALS (Trisha Shrum), CEMS (Dustin Rand), CAS (Kelly Di Dio), and others (Erik Monsen)
If you are interested and have clarifying questions, contact your college/school’s local coordinator, or email Dr. Erik Monsen.

Competition and Judging Guidelines

View to the 2023 Business Pitch Guidelines for reference. Stay tuned for the 2024 guidelines.
This year's judges include:
- Lauren Bass SI-MBA '20, Executive Director of LaunchVT
- Sarah Kearns, Business Advisor of Strategic Projects at Vermont Small Business Development Center
- Nicole Eaton ‘23, Marketing & Communications Manager at Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies
- Bob Phillips, Grossman School of Business Executive in Residence & Retired Unilever Director
- Hannah Deene Wood '95, Founder & Executive Director, Talent Skatepark

Sponsors

Thanks to the Grossman School of Business, Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources - Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Program, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - Community Development & Applied Economics Department, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences - Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Arts & Sciences - School of the Arts, and UVM’s Office of the Vice President of Research for sponsoring and supporting this annual event.

Additional thanks go out to our alumni sponsors, including David Aronoff ’86 and Jodi Goldstein '89, whose generous endowments provide ongoing funding for this competition, as well as Richard Bass ‘66, whose personal gift is making this year’s competition extra special.

An extra special thanks also go out to our local community sponsors, who play a very important role in supporting start-ups and the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Burlington and across Vermont.

Moulton Law Group

Moulton Law Group is a boutique law firm that focuses on advising business clients, investors, and entrepreneurs on a wide range of business legal needs, including financing transactions, private offerings, venture capital, angel investment, slow money/social investing, crowdfunding, business acquisitions, employment matters, equity compensation, intellectual property and general contract and business matters. The Moulton Law Group often acts as a “general counsel” for businesses that are too small to justify the cost and expense of hiring a dedicated in-house counsel.

Gallagher, Flynn & Company

Gallagher, Flynn & Company’s services have been performance based and relationship driven for over 60 years. Its CPA services are the foundation of our firm, and set the benchmark for technical expertise and integrity in our suite of professional services. The firm is large enough to provide clients with a diverse portfolio of services while remaining as highly responsive and client-focused as always. GFC delivers accounting, tax, and consulting expertise in key business areas, including tax consulting & compliance, accounting & assurance, mergers, acquisitions & transaction, private equity support, business consulting, business valuation & litigation support, finance & accounting outsourcing, and HR consulting services.

Fuse Marketing

Fuse is an award-winning marketing agency that help world class brands connect with teens and young adults. The agency offers strategy, experiential, social media, public relations, and creative services. Fuse has been named one of the best places to work in Vermont by Vermont Business Magazine and one of the top 25 places to work in the country by Outside Magazine.

Leonardo's Pizza

Community is at the heart of what Leonardo’s does. Sharing our love through pizza. Ours is a partnership, built on mutual admiration and trust. You are the inspiration behind all we do. Your passionate support fuels our team to be better every day. Our commitment to you is integrity, quality, and authenticity. With innovation and creativity as our foundation, we won't stop striving until you get the very best.

Competition Guidelines