May 13, 2008

Memo to college students: Do you want to win a trip to Chicago?

The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Fresno wants to know your “elevator pitch.” If it’s a winner, you’ll win a trip to national competition. “Elevator pitch” is a term that translates into “tell me about your business in the time it takes me to ride an elevator.”

Sponsored by The Coleman Foundation and The John E. and Jeanne T. Hughes Foundation, the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization’s Elevator Pitch Competition gives students a chance to win cash prizes by pitching their business ideas to a panel of judges.

Local students will make their pitches to a local panel at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, in the Leon S. and Pete P. Peters Educational Center located in the Student Recreation Center.

The winner will be sent to Chicago for the CEO National Conference on Nov. 2-3, to compete with 59 other students for a $2,500 first prize.

The second-place winner will receive $2,000; third place $1,500; fourth place $1,000; Five honorable mentions will receive $500 each.

“Presenting yourself efficiently is a necessary tool in the business arena,” said Genelle Taylor, associate director of the Lyles Center. “A well-planned elevator pitch can open the doors to success.”

For more information, contact Nancy Kobata at 559.294.2045.