InnoVentures
Can you sell your business in five minutes?
InnoVentures applications are now open.
InnoVentures, our annual business competition and fundraiser, gives you a chance to hone your five-minute pitch with the support of experts and coaches teaching you the best techniques in public speaking and presenting. Even better, if you make it to finals, you go home with cash and prizes.
The competition starts in January. 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 business while gaining exposure, networking, and competing for prizes. By the end of the night, we will award at least $5,000 in prizes.
How it works
Participants will develop and present on an innovation, strategy, or product to increase efficiency and grow their businesses. You will work with coaches before the event to develop and refine your pitch through clinics and preliminary competitions with the ultimate goal of advancing to the InnoVentures Finals on Thursday, March 28 from 5:30 – 9:00 pm at the Columbia City Theater.
Participation Requirements
To be eligible to apply you must have:
- Attended an Orientation (Haven’t done it yet? Learn how to get started)
- Graduated from the Business Basics Course
- 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)
- Mandatory Client Orientation
- One Pitch Clinic
- Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals, if applicable
Timeline
*Clients only attend one orientation time slot
InnoVentures Milestones |
Date & Time |
Where |
Applications Open |
NOW | Online |
Application Deadline |
Monday, Jan. 14 | Online |
Applicants Notified |
Thursday, Jan. 17 | By E-Mail |
Mandatory Client Orientation for Quarterfinalists* |
Monday, Jan. 28, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, OR Tuesday, Jan. 29, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
2100 Bldg |
| Pitch Clinics* | Wednesday, Feb. 6, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, OR Thursday, Feb. 7, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
2100 Bldg |
Quarterfinals |
Monday, Feb. 11, 6:30 – 9:00 pm | 2100 Bldg |
| Pitch Clinics* | Tuesday, Feb. 19, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, OR Wednesday, Feb.20, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, OR Thursday, Feb. 21, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
2100 Bldg |
Semifinals |
Monday, March 4, 6:30 – 9:00 pm | 2100 Bldg |
| Finals Pitch Practice* | Thursday, March 14, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, OR 3:00 – 6:00 pm, OR 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
2100 Bldg |
| Finals Pitch Clinics * | Thursday, March 21, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm OR 3:00 – 5:00 pm, OR 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
2100 Bldg |
Finals |
Thursday, March 28 |
Columbia City Theater |