Applications for 36|86: Student Edition, a pitch competition for student entrepreneurs seeking access to funding, market support and community and corporate resources, are open through June 4.
A part of 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival powered by Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN), applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of elite judges on August 28 before the festival begins. The 2017 judges included Walmart CTO Jeremy King, Managing Director of gBETA Maggie Brickerman and Founding Chairman and CEO of Global Action Platform Scott Massey, among others.
Teams must have at least one member enrolled in a Tennessee university or community college, and their business must be in the category of social enterprise, consumer goods/services, commercialized technology or software.
Before the competition Launch Tennessee will pair student finalists with mentors to refine their pitch and business plan. These finalists will have four minutes to pitch their company to the judges at 36|86: Student Edition. They will be scored on both the product and the team’s ability to execute on the business model provided.
Prizes up to $60,000 will be awarded to four winners, with the amounts up to the judges’ discretion.
2017 Student Edition Winners were:
- Gigamunch, Tennessee Tech
- Leaf, Vanderbilt University
- With The Band, Belmont University
- PathEx, Vanderbilt University
Other benefits to participating in 36|86: Student Edition include two complimentary passes to 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival, connection to a mentor through one of LaunchTN’s Mentor Networks and the potential to engage in the LaunchTN PortCo Program, which provides startups access to strategic planning support and connects them to investors and corporate leaders.
For more information about 36|86: Student Edition or to apply visit: launchtn.org/attend3686/3686-student-edition.