Indiana Wesleyan University will host its second annual GRAND IN 60 event where students and Indiana entrepreneurs are invited to pitch their business concept ideas in 60 seconds or less to win $1,000. The event will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27 in the Commons of the Barnes Student Center. Two winners will walk away with $1,000—one based on the judges’ choice and one based on the audience’s choice.
“It’s such an energizing event to bring creative students and entrepreneurs from the state together to highlight great ideas,” said Matt Voss, assistant professor of entrepreneurship. “I’m looking forward to the connections that will be made at our second annual event.”
Last year’s audience-choice winner, Jessie Dion, stated, “First, I want to say thank you to you and all the judges for making this event happen. It was so cool to not only share my small business idea, but to hear the ideas of so many other students and friends. I was blown away by so many!”
According to Carol Brown, associate dean of Life Calling & Career, the event was a great success in 2018, and they are hoping for more registrations for the 2019 event.
“Don’t let a pitch event scare you off from coming and sharing your idea of a new business or a twist on a product or business,” said Brown. “All ideas are welcome and potential investors may be willing to work with you on making that dream a reality.”
This initiative is funded by a five-year Lilly grant called Accelerate Indiana, which was awarded to Indiana Wesleyan in 2014 to encourage entrepreneurial thinking among students and encourage them to stay and work in Indiana. IWU’s Career Development Office will be hosting this event. Interested participants should visit Grand60.com for rules and guidelines for pitching their idea.
For more information contact Carol Brown at carol.brown1@indwes.edu.