BizPitch Competition

Student entrepreneurs can win prizes to help them launch their ventures.

Don't wait to launch your first business venture! Bucknell's annual BizPitch Competition is your chance to launch your own enterprise from right here on campus, with help from our entrepreneurship experts.

Students who participate in BizPitch present early stage concepts for new products or services, or their own startup companies, to a panel of judges.

Throughout the competition, students connect with advisers, access resources from Bucknell's entrepreneurship ecosystem and secure membership in StartupLewisburg, Bucknell's home for innovators in downtown Lewisburg.

BizPitch is led by Steven Stumbris, Fellow for Bucknell's Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (PGCEI) and Director of Bucknell's Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Bucknell's PGCEI offers experiential learning opportunities and other resources that equip students and faculty from all three of the university's colleges with the skills to turn ideas into impactful ventures. Bucknell's SBDC provides one-on-one consulting and educational workshops that equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills necessary to start and grow successful businesses in Pennsylvania.

Ikusasa Omuhle Ndhlovu '27

First place – $6,000

SooAh Lay '27

Second place – $2,500

Abby Platt '26 & Jaycie Mair '27

Third place (tie) – $2,000

Jessica Benattar '26 & Caitlyn Scott '27

Third place (tie) – $2,000

Anna Ottman '26

Fan favorite

Emanneul Mudungwe '28

Rising star

- The BizPitch Competition is open to full-time students at Bucknell University.
- Entries may not have won a top-three prize in previous Bucknell BizPitch Competitions or have generated over $100,000 in revenue.
- Each presenter must be a Bucknell student, but teams may include members who are not Bucknell students. Each team/company must be at least 50% owned or founded by full-time Bucknell students.
- Individuals may be contributing members of multiple teams but may only be a part of the pitch presentation for one entry.
Competitors will prepare a pitch to be evaluated by a panel of judges, with up to 10 points awarded in each of the following categories:
- Problem — Does the team clearly articulate a significant need and the positive impact their solution will have?
- Market — Does the team describe their target customers and the size of the market?
- Innovation — Does the solution, product or technology demonstrate creativity and inventiveness?
- Feasibility — Is the business model well developed and does this team have the potential to create a successful venture?
- Delivery — Was the pitch inspiring, passionate and memorable?
Prizes will include 1st place, the Change Maker award for the venture aspiring to create the greatest positive impact in the world, a Fan Favorite award based on audience voting, and more! Prizes will be issued in part as direct grants and in part as reimbursement accounts for expenses. Funds are subject to tax withholding, and any individuals receiving prizes must be Bucknell students.

Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Location

Taylor Hall, Second Floor

Contact

570-577-2222

pgcei@bucknell.edu