Valpo Innovates: Lessons Learned from Hosting an Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition on Campus

Many colleges and universities are embracing the entrepreneurial mindset. Within the past few years, Valparaiso University has launched an entrepreneurship minor, a professional entrepreneurship student organization, an... [ view full abstract ]

Many colleges and universities are embracing the entrepreneurial mindset. Within the past few years, Valparaiso University has launched an entrepreneurship minor, a professional entrepreneurship student organization, an innovation hub, and held its first pitch competition. Focusing on the entrepreneurial mindset, the pitch competition is a way to connect all students on campus regardless of major. Like many start-ups, the process of launching a pitch competition faces its own unique set of challenges. The organizers of the pitch competition consisted of administration and faculty from different colleges across the university. Several members had competed or judged in various other pitch competitions. This paper discusses the challenges and successes of Valpo Innovates and concludes with the lessons we have learned for future competitions.