{"id":2778,"date":"2020-09-22T11:27:54","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T16:27:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/business\/?page_id=2778"},"modified":"2026-10-15T13:31:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:31:18","slug":"epic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/epic\/","title":{"rendered":"Mulerider EPIC Virtual Pitch Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2778\" class=\"elementor elementor-2778\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-655e1d6 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"655e1d6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ea5e5e3\" data-id=\"ea5e5e3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-040e2f1 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"040e2f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/files\/elementor\/thumbs\/EPIC_LogoColor-rbo03w9b1yvgrg8p9uwhqdtcmvt4j3y5sks251x66g.webp\" title=\"EPIC_LogoColor\" alt=\"EPIC_LogoColor\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1a6973e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"1a6973e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;animation_delay&quot;:&quot;400&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-698f8a4\" data-id=\"698f8a4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea9bb6d elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ea9bb6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/epic\/mulerider-epic-contest-entry-submission\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Submit Competition Entry<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d2da765 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d2da765\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c737002\" data-id=\"c737002\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4937c4b elementor-nav-menu__align-center elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu__text-align-aside elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"4937c4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;toggle&quot;:&quot;burger&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-horizontal e--pointer-background e--animation-fade\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-4937c4b\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-2803\"><a class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" href=\"#epic-about\" itemprop=\"url\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-2804\"><a class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" href=\"#epic-faq\" itemprop=\"url\">FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2805\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/epic\/mulerider-epic-contest-entry-submission\/\" itemprop=\"url\">Submit Entry<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open eicon-menu-bar\"><\/i><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--close eicon-close\"><\/i>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-4937c4b\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-2803\"><a class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" href=\"#epic-about\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-2804\"><a class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" href=\"#epic-faq\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2805\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/epic\/mulerider-epic-contest-entry-submission\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">Submit Entry<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e1806bd elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"e1806bd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42c5971\" data-id=\"42c5971\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1300351 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1300351\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Mulerider EPIC is Southern Arkansas University\u2019s annual pitch competition. The competition aims to give students an opportunity to learn how to develop a business pitch and develop their business idea. Startup ideas and student-owned businesses are welcome to compete. Students may present individually or on presentation teams.<\/p><p>The preliminary round is virtual with 10 pitches moving to the final live competition, EPIC LIVE, on November 9, 2026, at 4 p.m. This Live Event, held in Foundation Hall, Reynolds Center, will be open to the public.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b156eb8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b156eb8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-44d3bb5\" data-id=\"44d3bb5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7433e68 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7433e68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;zoomIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>General Prizes:<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">1<sup>st<\/sup> Place &#8211; $1,000<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">2<sup>nd<\/sup> Place &#8211; $750<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">3<sup>rd<\/sup> Place &#8211; $500<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef626d1 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef626d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;zoomIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Special Category Prizes:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d70b2e3 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"d70b2e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f102c2c elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f102c2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These and other prizes are offered for business plans that meet their requirements. Additional categories are in development.<\/p><p><strong>Forge Prize* $1000<\/strong> for best pitch offering a solution to a social, cultural, or environmental problem.<\/p><p><strong>SOAR Prize* $500<\/strong> to best pitch addressing sustainability.<\/p><p><strong>Community Prize* $300<\/strong> to the team chosen as the favorite by the community.<\/p><p><strong>Wisewirx Media Award* $300<\/strong> for the best pitch involving creative\/imaginative media content in the business idea or presentation.<\/p><p>These prizes may be awarded in combination with the 1st\u20133rd place awards, but the same contestant may not receive more than one special category award.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72da94f elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"72da94f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"epic-about\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a12fc43\" data-id=\"a12fc43\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3fb20e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a3fb20e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Virtual Round Requirements<\/h3><p>Video pitches for the first round must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 26.<\/p><p>For the virtual portion, the contestants will record and submit a video of their pitch. You will need the following:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Executive Summary \u2013<\/strong> a short description (One to three pages) describing the product, market, business set-up, and estimated funding needed to launch the first stage. Also include brief descriptions of yourself (and your team, for team presentations), summarizing your qualifications.<\/li><li><strong>Pitch Video \u2013<\/strong> three-minute maximum pitch video<\/li><li><strong>Visual aid \u2013<\/strong> pitch deck, prototype, something to support your idea.<\/li><\/ul><p>The top ten presentations will be notified. These winners will be invited to present at EPIC LIVE on November 9, 2026.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Live Round Requirements<\/h3><p>For the live portion, students and student teams will present their pitches to the public. For the live round, students will need to bring the following:<\/p><ul><li>Handouts for the Judges. These may be in the format of a business canvas, brief description, and any diagrams, spreadsheets, or pictures that are needed. (One to three pages.)<\/li><li>Visual Aid(s) include pitch deck (PowerPoint) and any props or prototypes that support the idea.<\/li><li>A Professionally Prepared Presentation limited to three minutes in length. (It will be timed with a stopwatch, so practice. Memorizing your presentation can be helpful in controlling the length.)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0af83f0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0af83f0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-77c43b1\" data-id=\"77c43b1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5f6623 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f5f6623\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pitch Structure and Examples<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4655cbe elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4655cbe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0e5a15d\" data-id=\"0e5a15d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3048ed8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"3048ed8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1nhzJwE0tmeD0ruh3zCmLS-Gx5v07v5QI\/preview\" width=\"auto\" height=\"300\" allow=\"autoplay\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1eaa3aa\" data-id=\"1eaa3aa\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e5c2b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"6e5c2b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;hosted&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hosted-video elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<video class=\"elementor-video\" src=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/files\/2024\/09\/Brown-and-Dark-Blue-Modern-Coffee-Shop-Presentation.mp4\" controls=\"\" preload=\"metadata\" controlsList=\"nodownload\"><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aaeea54 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aaeea54\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"epic-faq\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f0ee2b9\" data-id=\"f0ee2b9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6f7386 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c6f7386\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22fd12f elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"22fd12f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-3661\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-3661\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Am I able to pitch?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-3661\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-3661\"><p>In order to pitch, you must be an actively enrolled student at Southern Arkansas University. Students may compete individually or on teams. Teams may include both undergraduate and graduate students. (Teams will divide their winnings.) Non-students or non-participants may serve as resource persons, but the pitch must be written and presented by the students.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-3662\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-3662\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What should I include in my pitch?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-3662\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-3662\"><p>In a nutshell, a pitch tells what you\u2019re offering to whom, how it fills a need and, in many cases, how it differs from other products.<\/p><p>Basic sections:<\/p><ul><li><strong>The Offering:<\/strong> What you\u2019re offering to the potential user. For example, a hand-held sonogram device is a different kind of offering than a coffee shop. A technological product would have to address technological concerns as well as application concerns. A coffee shop would offer a kind of experience, a unique taste, etc. (Starbucks bought the Italian coffee bar experience to the U.S. It was about community as well as caffeine.)<\/li><li><strong>The Market\/Marketing:<\/strong> Show an understanding of the needs of the users, how they would use the product, and how the product would improve their lives. (Example: Small children need toothbrushes with squishy handles because we studied how they brush their teeth, and many don\u2019t have the coordination to hold the brush handle with their fingers.) How the product would be marketed and delivered to them. (Examples: Tell about your food truck, your website, the user conferences you could go to and show it off.)<\/li><li><strong>The Operation:<\/strong> What kind of organizational set-up would you need to produce the product and experience? The business canvas (see below) specifies three areas: Key activities you would have to perform, resources (people, equipment, facilities) you would need to have to perform it, and external allies you would need as suppliers, distributors, software providers, etc.<\/li><li><strong>The Financial Side:<\/strong> The business canvas breaks this down into your revenue streams (sources of income whether they\u2019re product sales, advertising sales, consulting fees, membership fees, subscription fees, etc.) and your projected costs (startup and ongoing).<\/li><\/ul><p>Obviously, you can\u2019t cover all of this in detail in only three minutes. Focus on what is most important for your kind of business. Either briefly mention the rest or cover it in your handout and\/or the question-and-answer period. You are not required to use the business canvas format (See the link below.), but the nine-cell canvas table it offers is a good way to break down your idea.<\/p><p><strong>The business canvas<\/strong> framework is a popular way of breaking down a business model. If you look up \u201cbusiness canvas\u201d on YouTube, you will find a number of them. Steve Morris, of Startup SOS has a series of videos explaining each part of the canvas. The first video, \u201cBusiness Model Generation with the Business Model Canvas\u201d is accessible at the link below:<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AdpGgWHraXU&amp;t=2s\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AdpGgWHraXU&amp;t=2s<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-3663\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-3663\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How long is my pitch supposed to be?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-3663\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-3663\"><p>The pitch must fit within a three-minute timeframe. (It will be timed.) This does not include set-up time or the question-and-answer period that will follow each presentation.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-3664\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-3664\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I use a PowerPoint to assist with my pitch?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-3664\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-3664\"><p>A PowerPoint, prototype, or some other visual representation is required.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-3665\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-3665\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How will the competition be judged?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-3665\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-3665\"><p>The judging rubric will not be released, but the judges will evaluate on evidence of thoughtful research, creativity\/innovation, concept feasibility, how well the company meets a need\/solves a problem, &#8220;investability,&#8221; and the individual\u2019s enthusiasm for the idea.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-3666\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-3666\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Who should participate?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-3666\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-3666\"><ul><li>Individual students or student teams from any major<\/li><li>Students who have new business ideas<\/li><li>Students who have developed innovative products<\/li><li>Students who have started their own companies<\/li><li>Students interested in enhancing their presentation skills<\/li><li>Students who want to explore the idea of starting a company in an environment that provides them with feedback, funding, and opportunities to network<\/li><li>Students who want to demonstrate their ability to clearly communicate an idea to a group<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-3667\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-3667\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Do I have to write a formal business plan?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-3667\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-3667\"><ul><li>This competition does not require students to submit a fully developed written plan, but going through the exercise of preparing a plan would be a helpful exercise. This is especially true for participants who want to take their ideas further. <br \/>The Arkansas Governor\u2019s Cup Business Plan Competition does require a formal plan of up to twelve pages, and some student and student teams might be interested in participating. The competition will open for entries in late January. This competition is sponsored by Arkansas Capital Corporation, and cash prizes for this competition are substantial. Technology startups may win up to $20,000 and lifestyle businesses may win up to $10,000.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ede5d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ede5d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>A Former ASBTDC (Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center) director posted the following note for students with technology products they intend to patent: <\/strong>\u00a0<\/p><p>All participants should be aware of something called 35 USC 102(b), which contains a nasty \u201cgotcha\u201d called an \u201cin-use\u201d or \u201con-sale bar\u201d to patentability. This is not legal advice, look up 35 USC 102(b) yourself. Be familiar with this. Participants might want to consider (Prior to their presentations) taking their PowerPoint or other presentation materials, printing everything on 8.5 x 11 paper and mailing this into the US Patent Office with a check for $65 (Prior to their presentations). Doing so is not a cure-all, there are many other steps necessary in the patent process, but doing at least this can be somewhat helpful in preventing the nasty \u201cgotcha\u201d of 35 USC 102(b). Just be aware, doing nothing could harm your patent rights.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5b6d4d2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5b6d4d2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8e5c518\" data-id=\"8e5c518\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5ee2ebf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"5ee2ebf\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;animation_delay&quot;:&quot;400&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bf401cd\" data-id=\"bf401cd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1117922 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1117922\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/epic\/mulerider-epic-contest-entry-submission\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Submit Competition Entry<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Submit Competition Entry Mulerider EPIC is Southern Arkansas University\u2019s annual pitch competition. The competition aims to give students an opportunity to learn how to develop a business pitch and develop their business idea. Startup ideas and student-owned businesses are welcome to compete. Students may present individually or on presentation teams. The preliminary round is virtual&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/epic\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":564,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2778","page","type-page","status-publish","entry","has-post-thumbnail"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/564"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2778"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7612,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2778\/revisions\/7612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}