John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship
BUSINESS MODEL ROAD TEST
PITCH COMPETITION
May 7, 2024
Farmer School of Business - Oxford, OH
May 7, 2024
Farmer School of Business - Oxford, OH
The Business Model Road Test is a bi-annual new venture pitch competition. Since 2014, more than 250 teams have pitched opportunities they have found to solve problems for real customers and the business models they have built and tested in the real world. Like any successful road test, the goal is for them to roll their business models out and show what they can do. We’ve assembled a panel of experts to look under the hood and help judge whether these new ventures are ready to hit the streets.
Judges: FSB 2043
Students: Assigned Prelim Rooms
05:15 PMAssigned Preliminary Round Rooms
06:00 PMFSB Atrium (basement floor)
07:45 PMFSB 1000
08:00 PMYou should be in your assigned preliminary room and ready to present at the appointed time. It is your responsibility to have your presentation loaded in the room and ready to go, so it's a good idea to send at least one person from your team to the preliminary room 20-30min early to make sure that happens.
YES. This event is a manditory assignment for the class and serves as the equivalent of a final exam for the course. Equally important, it is a clear sign of professionalism and respect that you are present and fully engaged for everyone's presentations (even if your team doesn't make the final round).
You should dress professionally. The most important thing is to coordinate as a team so you look put-together. If in doubt, err on the side of more formal business attire.
Yes, but you should have a backup plan (e.g. a teammate standing at the computer to advance slides) just in case.
Yes, but this tends to be a bad look. Knowing your pitch well enough to do it "off book" is a strong signal that what you are pitching has been well prepared and tested. We recommend prioritizing time to practice your pitch (even if that means taking time away from developing your slides)
Each team will have 7 minutes to present followed by 7 minutes of Q&A with the judges. These times will be strictly enforced. This format will be exactly the same for both the preliminary round and final round, so you do not have to prepare anything different if you make the finals, just do the same presentation again.
You may use any format for your presentation, BUT it MUST be one that can be shared on a Google Drive folder and loaded/run on an FSB classroom computer WITHOUT requiring a login or any other obstacle that would add time to the transition between presentations. We do NOT have time for Duo verifications, Canva logins, opening your email, etc. You need to be able to walk up to the front of the room and immediately begin presenting. Making sure your presentation is loaded and ready to go is 100% your responsibility.
You can present any way you like and with any combination of people that you like. That said, it is VERY important that your entire team be represented in some way. This signals to the judges that you are an effective, collaborative, and healthy team. A good way to accomplish this is to make sure that the people NOT presenting take the lead in the Q&A portion of your time.
Yes. Executive summaries, product prototypes, visual aids of any kind, anything along these lines is totally ok. We recommend you keep the technical complexity of your presentation to a minimum. Your presentation is solely your responsibility. You are free to include anything you want, but it is up to you to make sure it all works. If things go sideways, the clock will keep ticking. If you DO decide to include elements like this (e.g. a video or live demo), it is wise to have a rehersed plan for how you will continue with your pitch should they fail.
The address and link to a google map are included below. There's also contact information there. If you need help, give us a call.
Plan to park in the North Campus Garage (address and map below). Enter through the automated gates and take a ticket. We will provide you with a validated pass to get back out of the garage without charge.
Come directly to Room 2043. Enter through the main entrance on the South side of the building (inside the "U"). Once inside the building, walk straight ahead to the atrium and go up the stairs to the 2nd level and turn right. Room 2043 is on the East side of the building on the 2nd level.
No. Just come ready to enjoy dinner from Bagel & Deli on us and to give your honest feedback on the pitches you see. Your unique experience, knowledge, and skillset are all you need to you bring with you.
Absolutely. If possible, please let us know so we can adjust our food orders accordingly.
