Click here to learn more about Spirit Award Winners. 

Elevator/Business Concept Competition Awards

The second type of award the HGCF sponsors in conjunction with local community banks  are Elevator Pitch Competition awards for first, second and third place. Presidents and Vice Presidents from participating banks serve as judges for the annual Elevator Pitch Completion which takes place at the annual spring banquet.  Judges choose from approximately fifteen pitch contestants and choose winners based on the strongest combination of the best ideas coupled with the best presentations. The first place award is for $1,000; the second place award is for $750; and, the third place award is for $500.

Each year at the annual Entrepreneurship Banquet, an exciting, live Elevator Pitch Competition is held!  This is an opportunity for one student from each institution to give his or her ninety-second pitch for a business concept.  Here are some key things participants will need to know:

• A concept is a fresh idea for a new product, service, or business that has not received any sources of funding prior to the banquet. The idea should be in the concept stage only - "pre-business card," if you will!
   
• No props, note cards, or written notes can be used. The pitch consists solely of each student's ninety-second verbal pitch, given using a microphone on the main stage.
   
• Commerical lending bankers serve as the judges and the audience listens in throughout the competition. The judges choose a first, second, and third place winner based on both the quality of the idea as well as the quality of the presentation. At the end of the annual banquet, the winners are announced and the monetary awards, which are funded by sponsoring local banks, are announced to the winners. Checks are sent within six weeks of the banquet.