Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit Pitch Competition

Idea Pitch and Business Pitch Contests

Win up to $10,000 for your Social Enterprise

Overview and Details

GOAL: To provide entrepreneurs in Appalachia the opportunity to compete for funding for their social enterprise business.

ELIGIBILITY: Early-stage social entrepreneurs and social enterprise innovators seeking capital are encouraged to apply. The Business Pitch Contest is open to all small social enterprise businesses. The Idea Pitch is for College/University Students Only.

Step One – Idea Pitch and Business Pitch Competition

  1. Submit Online Questionnaire

Individuals and teams will be asked to submit a short questionnaire to officially enter into the Business and Idea Pitch Competition.

Rules of Eligibility:

  • Individuals or groups participating in the ASES Competition must consider themselves a social enterprise. 

  • All business ideas must be initially based in Appalachia to be considered eligible for consideration in the competition.

Submission Deadline: September 16th, 2022 by noon

Step Two – Business Pitch Competition Only

  1. One Page Summaries

Individuals and businesses that comply with the requirements of the competition will be asked to submit a one-page overview of their c business. Revenue generating businesses must submit sales history and current ownership structure with this one page submission. 

  2. Scoring

Each submission will be reviewed by a panel of judges composed of various business     professionals. Summaries will be scored on a standard rubric on a scale of 1-100.

Submission Deadline: September 19th, 2022 by noon

September 22, 2022 
**Virtual**

Business Pitch Competition Only

  1. Intro-Pitch Evaluation
  • Individuals/Teams will be scheduled for 15 minute blocks of time for an introduction and interview session with Summit Organizers to include:

    • Maximum 5-minute pitch

    • Maximum 10-minute interview

These sessions will be scored by the Summit Organizers to determine the final 5 Ideation and 5 Businesses that will be presenting at the Summit on Oct. 4th. 

Scoring Breakdown:

Feasibility of Business or Idea 33%
Intro-Pitch 33%
Interview 33%

Finalists will be notified by September 27, 2022

Finals
Oct 4, 2022
ASES Summit
**In-Person**

  1. Competition Day

The contestants and finalists for the Business and Idea Pitch Competition will have a table and area in the Summit Ballroom to showcase their business materials. 

  2. Business Competition and Idea Pitch Competition

The winning business will receive up to $10,000 as the winning prize of the competition. 

Important dates

September 16th: Online Submissions Due

September 19th: One page Summaries Due

September 22nd: Semi-Finalists Interview Sessions

September 27th: Finalist Announced

October 4th: Final Competition