NEW ALBANY, Ind. (Nov. 14, 2024) – Budding entrepreneur finalists will have a chance to pitch their ideas and take home seed money and other prizes as part of The Next Big Thing Pitch Competition, presented by NovaParke Innovation & Technology Campus and hosted by the IU Southeast School of Business.
The live pitch event will be held on Wednesday, November 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Hoosier Room, located in the University Center North Conference Center on the IU Southeast campus. The public is invited to attend to hear the ideas and cheer on their favorite entrepreneur. RSVPs are encouraged for the free event by registering via Eventbrite.
“We’re thrilled to be organizing a pitch contest that not only celebrates entrepreneurs and the spirit of entrepreneurship but is also an official event of Global Entrepreneurship Week,” said Dr. Aycan Kara, associate professor of strategic management and entrepreneurship at IU Southeast. “We’ve received submissions from both established and aspiring entrepreneurs. The submissions have truly impressed us, not just in terms of quality, but also in the wide range of concepts they cover.”
Finalists participating in the competition, similar to the popular television series, Shark Tank, will have the chance to present their ideas to a panel of experts, entrepreneurs, and mentors, who will provide valuable feedback and guidance on projects. Registrants will also compete with other talented individuals/teams from around southern Indiana and the best pitches will receive cash awards, mentorship, and exposure.
There are two categories in Wednesday’s pitch competition including Fast Pitch, and Pitch Tank.
The Fast Pitch competition is for individuals/teams who have identified a problem to solve, have addressed a customer need, have executed market research, and have a rough business plan; however, they have not identified or finalized a minimum viable product or service to offer. Businesses must have operated for six months or fewer. The first-place award for the Fast Pitch competition is $5,000 in non-dilutive grant funding and a one-year membership to Maker13 in Jeffersonville, IN.
The Pitch Tank is for individuals/teams who have a completed business plan and have identified a specific minimum viable product or service to offer. The first-place award for the Pitch Tank competition is $20,000 in non-dilutive grant funding and office space for the 2025 calendar year at Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus in Georgetown, IN.
Judges for the competition include James M. Hojnacki, President and CEO of Cleveland Private Trust Company and an active angel investor; Bill White, Market President for Indiana Members Credit Union; Landon Young, Vice President of Pre-Seed at Elevate Ventures, the Midwest’s most active seed-stage fund; and Jack Manzella, Chief Operating Officer of SoFab Inks, a chemical manufacturing startup developing novel materials used to produce next-generation perovskite solar cells. Amber Miller from AME will emcee the competition.
Participants will also hear from Chase Slepak, keynote speaker and competition judge. Slepak’s journey began at age 18 with diverse jobs, from door-to-door dry cleaning salesman to a night-shift security guard, which shaped his hands-on business approach. He launched his first businesses in his late teens and early twenties, Fifth Avenue Carwash & Detailing and Fortitude Property Services, learning invaluable lessons in resilience and customer service.
Today, as Chairman and President of Slepak Family Companies, he manages a diverse portfolio including Slepak Enterprises, Uncle Joe’s Good Time, Swing Zone Sports Hub, and more. Slepak also serves as COO for brands like Boylan Bottling Company and is Interim President of Rainshadow Labs. His public service includes roles with the Fawn Township Fire Company and the Ohio Special Response Team.
“Universities are known for cultivating big thinkers,” said Dr. Michelle Williams, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at IU Southeast. “The Next Big Thing Pitch Contest helps identify budding entrepreneurs and set them up for success. With seed funding, mentoring by our expert faculty, and workspace to further develop their concepts, we hope to find the next Shadyrays, 21C, or even a Lume in our midst,” she said.
A total of $25,000 will be split between the competition categories, along with office space at NovaParke Innovation & Technology Campus, and memberships to Maker13.
The Next Big Thing Pitch Contest is presented by NovaParke Innovation & Technology Campus and hosted by Indiana University Southeast and the IU Southeast School of Business and community partners including Maker13, the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Republic Bank, Ideology, the Floyd County Library, and the Root Co-Working Space.
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About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.
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