Our three-stage business plan competition is open to anyone in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. Anyone in the continental United States is encouraged to apply.
Rules, Regulations, and Policies
How it works
Entrants submit a short description of their business idea along with a one-minute video pitch. $3,000 in cash prizes. DNVC Committee selects up to 15 semi-finalist teams to advance to Stage II.
Semi-finalist teams submit an executive summary, short business plan, and a five-minute video pitch. $15,000 in cash prizes ($1,000 for each semi-finalist team). A panel of judges select up to 5 finalist teams to advance to Stage III. All teams receive free access to Palo Alto's LivePlan software.
Finalists submit an executive summary, full business plan, and PowerPoint presentation plus make a live presentation to a panel of judges followed by Q&A. $41,000 in cash prizes. Finalists are assigned mentors and have access to the resources of our sponsors.
Finalists have access to the resources of our sponsors
Duquesne University School of Law
Duquesne Small Business Development Center
Center of Excellence in Entrepreneurship, including sophisticated equipment in our maker space-Bob's Launch Pad
Thank you to our partner
