BE Insider

ELEVATOR PITCH CONTEST 2011-2012

Information

Is your business pitch on point? Need capital infusion? Enter the Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Competition now!

Website: http://www.blackenterprise.com/ec
Members: 268
Latest Activity: on Tuesday

CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS!!!

Record and upload your best business pitch (under two minutes, please) and upload it here. The top 10 finalists will be invited to the 2012 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo where they will pitch the idea to judges and our audience for a chance to win $10,000!

Deadline is Friday, March 30, 2012

Rethink your business at the 2012 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo. Hundreds of deal makers attend all looking to build networks and explore growth opportunities. Innovative sessions, high-powered speakers, early peeks at products, trends and services you’ll need to stay ahead. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind power conference.

1. Join the Black Enterprise NING Community

2. Become a Member of this Elevator Pitch Group

3. Suggested Elevator Pitch Format

What is your business focus?
What products and services can you offer a company?
How would you take advantage of this opportunity?
How would you make money?

4. Create your video pitch

5. Click on the videos tabs in the top nav then select the ‘Add Videos’ then upload your video pitch

6. Under comments on the Elevator Pitch Contest Group page use the HTML embed code for your video to add it into your post below

7. Be sure in your BE Insider profile information you have your correct name, address, phone number, e-mail address - this information does not display publicly but will be used by Black Enterprise Staff to contact the winner.

Please Note: As an Elevator Pitch contestant, your name and likeness may be used for future advertising and promotional purposes. Additionally, it is advised that you obtain the appropriate legal documentation to protect your business idea or product. Black Enterprise is not liable for duplication of your business idea or product by a third party.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS CONTEST. Contest is open only to applicants who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age and older. Void where prohibited. Contest begins at 9:00 AM ET on 12/12/11 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on 4/13/12. Click here for Official Rules »

blackenterprise.com/EC OFFICIAL RULES PRIVACY POLICY

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of ELEVATOR PITCH CONTEST 2011-2012 to add comments!

Comment by Alma Redhead on Tuesday: I want to congratulate the 10 finalists chosen to participate and acknowledge the awesome platform that Black Enterprise put together to inspire entrepreneurs to forge ahead with their business ideas.

I am disappointed with the process BE used for the selections. I was under the impression that this opportunity was to include start ups who had not established a business .

Although impressed with some of the selections , I found that a large amount of the finalist had already started their businesses. They had established websites, products and professional video to shoot the pitch. Not only that, the 2 minute rule were violated by the some of the finalists, in one case a contestant did not even bother to sign up for a be insider account. That was a requirement.

The point : if a set of rules are given and were not followed you don't reward for non compliance AKA -breaking rules.

Comment by Shantee McCreary on Tuesday: @ Erica Smith, I totally agree with you. When I first uploaded my video I took a look at some of the other pitches and I thought they were really good presentations, but I was thinking it’s a shame they won't make the finals because they hadn't followed the guidelines. That being said, congrats to the 10 finalists and I do look forward to attending the competition at the conference so that I can learn what things I could do better next year.

Comment by Myron Campbell on Monday: Erica Smith I totally agree. You give guidelines for a reason and some of them didn't follow. Congrats to all that were selected but c'mon BE stay focused.

Comment by Erica Smith on May 12, 2012 at 3:02pm: While I respect BE's decision, I do take issue with some of the 10 finalists selected. My main concern is that there are a couple of businesses that did not deliver an elevator pitch, but instead a commercial or interview. A couple of the pitches were well over the 2 minute guideline established in BE Official Rules (which are no longer on the page).

While certainly people should be creative, if BE is going to have an elevator pitch contest, the finalists selected should give actual elevator pitches.

Comment by Patricia Cesaire on May 11, 2012 at 2:29pm: Thank you everyone who competed by PITCHING their business value to BLACK ENTERPRISE for a chance to WIN the 2012 ELEVATOR PITCH COMPETION & 10,000 PRIZE!

We've selected 10 Winners:

1. All High Sports http://beinsider.ning.com/xn/detail/u_1psvwd5va6ls1

2. Kevin http://beinsider.ning.com/xn/detail/u_0kouj4777hhlr

3. Coco Curls Natural Hair Care http://beinsider.ning.com/xn/detail/u_18l5hzx9msoog

4. Ok Co-pay http://beinsider.ning.com/xn/detail/u_3skpyvxrbwavl

5. Visual Hug http://beinsider.ning.com/xn/detail/u_2rbse6xdmwb8p

6. SEG http://beinsider.ning.com/xn/detail/u_0mst6djsi0321

7. Purse Paparazzi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1xRs56MWdY

8. Momma I want to Write http://beinsider.ning.com/xn/detail/u_15qbeayx2j735

9. Haggerty & Associates http://beinsider.ning.com/video/haggerty-associates-llc

10. Klean Collar & Cuff http://db.tt/Lu9y0zsl

If you didn't make the final round this year, DON'T GIVE UP! -We'll be opening up the 2013 ELEVATOR PITCH COMPETITION information very soon. We hope to meet you all on May 23-26th in Chicago!

Thank you,

Black Enterprise

Comment by Kyla McConnell on May 2, 2012 at 2:03pm: Good Luck to all the contestants and a huge THANK YOU to Black Enterprise for letting so many showcase thier ideas for a once in a lifetime experience. Please check out my entry Vintage and Veil Online Boutique

At Vintage and Veil our goal is simple , we love to help brides SAVE , the DATE. Our stylish online boutique allows both brides-to-be and after-the-wedding couples to buy or sell everything from dresses to wedding decor and more .
A wedding should be one of the happiest times, not a financial burden. At Vintage and Veil, we'll help you keep wedding costs in check; We'll help you Save the Date!

Comment by Travis Jackson on April 30, 2012 at 11:13pm: S/o to all of the HBCU graduates! Follow @HBCUPrideNation. Good luck with the elevator pitch contest!

Comment by Travis Jackson on April 29, 2012 at 1:00pm: Does anyone know when we will be notified about the top 10 finalist for the elevator pitch contest? I know they said at the end of this week.

Comment by Travis Jackson on April 27, 2012 at 11:54am: http://beinsider.ning.com/video/hbcu-pride-nation-elevator-pitch-2012

Good luck to everyone in the elevator pitch contest!. Follow us on Twitter @HBCUPrideNation! Especially if you went to a HBCU. #HBCUPride!