InnoVentures

Learn how to sell your business in five minutes

What innovation would take your business to the next level?

InnoVentures, our annual business competition and fundraiser, puts your business in the spotlight to develop and present on an innovation, strategy, or product to increase efficiency and grow your business. Through a NEW training program and support from pitch coaches, InnoVentures gives you the opportunity to create a professional five-minute pitch for your business. You will gain confidence and public speaking skills while competing for prizes.
This year, innovation for small businesses may look different as businesses face challenges from the global pandemic. InnoVentures 2021 seeks to celebrate the strength and resiliency of the micro-business community. To craft your pitch, we invite you to consider what new product, process, or service would take your business to the next level or would accelerate your business recovery. The current health crisis also means a new virtual format – all activities will be planned virtually, with the goal of an in-person competition on April 29th at Washington Hall.*
InnoVentures is only open to Ventures entrepreneurs. Participants will pitch an innovation for their businesses while gaining exposure, networking, and competing for prizes. At the final competition on April 29, we will award a total of $15,000 to our Finalists, with $6,500 for our first prize winner!
*Subject to change due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. 

How it works

  1. Watch orientation video and submit your application by January 25, 2021  (HYPERLINK TO APP)
2.  Get support from coaches to create your pitch at InnoVentures Bootcamp and prepare to give your pitch at Pitch to Your Mentor Night, the first level of the pitch competition 
  • Attend Pitch workshop (mandatory) on February 2
  • Practice sessions (optional) on February 9th and 16th 
  • Present your pitch at Pitch to Your Mentor Night (mandatory) on February 23 
3. Work with coaches to develop and refine your pitch through practice pitch clinics and preliminary competitions with the goal of advancing to InnoVentures Finals on Thursday, April 29 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm at Washington Hall.

Timeline

*Clients only attend one time slot

InnoVentures Milestones

Date & Time

Where
Applications Open
 NOW Online
InnoVentures Info Session/ Q&A*

*optional
 Wednesday 1/13/21,
5:30-7:00 pm (English)
7:15-8:30pm (Spanish)		 Zoom
Application Closed
 Monday, 1/25/21
InnoVentures Boot Camp

Entrenamiento de InnoVentures

 Tuesdays 2/2 – 2/16 (English)
Thursdays 2/4 – 2/18 (Spanish)		 Zoom
Pitch to Your Mentor Night: Preliminary competition

Noche de la presentación final:
Concurso preliminar

 Tuesday, 2/23 (English and Spanish)
6:00 – 9:00pm		 Zoom
Quarterfinalists notified
 Wednesday, 2/24 Email
Prepare for Quarterfinals: What You Need to Know

*optional, will be recorded

Prepárese para los cuarto-de-finales: Todo lo que debe de saber

*opcional, se grabará

 Friday, 2/26

12:00 -1:00pm (English)

1:00 – 2:00pm (Spanish)

 Zoom
QF Pitch Clinics

*Choose one date*

 Tuesday, 3/2
6:30-8:30 pm (Eng) 

Thursday, 3/4
11:00am-1:00 pm (Eng) | 6:30-8:30pm (Span)

Thursday, 3/11
11:00am-12:30pm (Span) | 6:30-8:30 pm (Eng)

 Zoom
Quarterfinals
 Part A: Monday, 3/15, 6:30-8:30 pm

Part B: Wednesday, 3/17, 6:30-8:30 pm

 In-person @2100 Bldg.*subject to change
Semifinalists Notified
 Thursday, 3/18, 5:00pm Email
Prepare for Semifinals: What You Need to Know

*optional, will be recorded

Prepárese para los semifinales: Todo lo que debe de saber

*opcional, se grabará

 Monday, 3/22
12:00 – 1:00pm (English)
1:00 – 2:00pm (Spanish)		 Zoom
SF Pitch Clinics

*Choose (1) date to attend

 Thursday, 3/25
11:00 am-12:00pm (Span) | 6:30-8:30 pm (Eng) 

Tuesday, 3/30
11:00 am-1:00 pm (Eng) | 6:30-8:00 pm (Span)

Thursday, 4/1
6:30-8:30 pm (Eng)

 Zoom
Semifinals
 Monday, 4/5 6:00 – 9:00pm In-person @ 2100 Bldg. *subject to change.
Finalists Notified & Announced
 Tuesday, 4/6 Email
Prepare for Finals: What You Need to Know

*optional, will be recorded

Prepárese para los finales: Todo lo que debe de saber

*opcional, se grabará

 Thursday, 4/8
12:00-1:00 pm (Eng)
1:00-2:00 pm (Span)		 Zoom
Finals Pitch Practice -Individual

*Each finalist chooses minimum (1) & up to (2) practice sessions.

*Cada finalista elegira a por lo menos (1) sesion o maximo (2) sesiones de practica.

 Wednesday, 4/14

Tuesday, 4/20

Thursday, 4/22

 In-person @ 2100 Bldg. *subject to change.
Finals
 Thursday, April 29th 5:00 – 9:00 pm In-person @ Washington Hall *subject to change

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