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, gives you a chance to show what makes your business special—and what innovation would make it even better. Backed by expert pitch coaches and staff teaching you the best techniques in public speaking and presenting, you will craft a five-minute pitch as awesome as your business is. Plus, if you make it to finals, you will go home with cash and prizes.
This year will be the biggest InnoVentures to date with more prizes and networking opportunities for your business. The competition starts in January, so apply now to be part of the community of entrepreneurs taking their businesses to the next level.
InnoVentures is only open to Ventures entrepreneurs. Participants will pitch an innovation for their businesses while gaining exposure, networking, and competing for prizes. By the end of the night, we will award at least $2,500 to the 1st place winner, and smaller cash prizes to all of the finalists.
How it works
Participants will develop and present on an innovation, strategy, or product to increase efficiency and grow their businesses. This year, in addition to pitching the total investment your business needs to implement your innovation, you will explain how the 1st place cash prize—$2,500—would be used to move your business forward.
You will work with coaches before the event to develop and refine your pitch through pratice pitch clinics and preliminary competitions with the ultimate goal of advancing to the InnoVentures Finals on Thursday, March 26 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm at Washington Hall.
Participation Requirements
To be eligible to apply you must have:
- Graduated from Ventures’ 8-week Business Basics Course (formerly the Business Development Training)
- Have a valid and current Washington State Business License
- Generated income from your business (i.e. sales!) in the last 90 days
- The ability to attend (see below for full schedule)
- A mandatory Client Orientation in January
- The Pitch Bootcamp on Monday, January 23
- A minimum of one practice pitch clinic the week of January 27
- The Quarterfinals on Tuesday, February 10 or Wednesday, February 12
- If applicable, Semifinals and Finals
Timeline
*Clients only attend one time slot
InnoVentures Milestones |
Date & Time |
Where |
Applications Open |
NOW | Online |
Application Deadline |
Monday, Jan. 6 | Online |
Applicants Notified |
Thursday, Jan. 9 | By E-Mail |
| Mandatory Client Orientation for Quarterfinalists* | Monday, Jan. 13, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, or Thursday, Jan. 16, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
2100 Bldg |
| InnoVentures Bootcamp | Thursday, Jan. 23, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | 2100 Bldg |
| Pitch Clinics* | Monday, Jan. 27, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, or Wednesday, Jan. 29, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, or Thursday, Jan. 30, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
2100 Bldg |
Quarterfinals |
Monday, Feb. 10, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm or Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm |
2100 Bldg |
| Pitch Clinics* | Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, or Wednesday, Feb.19, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, or Thursday, Feb. 20, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm |
2100 Bldg |
Semifinals |
Tuesday, March 3, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | 2100 Bldg |
| Finals Pitch Practice* | Thursday, March 12, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, or 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | 2100 Bldg |
| Finals Pitch Practice* | Monday, March 16, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, or 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | 2100 Bldg |
| Finals Pitch Practice* | Thursday, March 19, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, or 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | 2100 Bldg |
Finals
|
Thursday, March 26 |
Washington Hall |