Big Idea Blitz

 

What Previous Participants Have to Say About Big Idea Blitz:

Big Idea Blitz Logo-1

 

Do you have an idea that you’d like to explore but don’t know where to start? Do you have an idea that you’ve been working on and are thinking of competing in the Big Idea Competition, Kuzneski Innovation Cup, or other larger competitions with it? Strengthen your idea by attending Big Idea Blitz, a 24-hour+ idea development and pitch workshop where you can learn how apply key innovation concepts to your current, new, or future ideas! This program will consist of opening night elevator pitches, a Saturday “Bootcamp” with Big Idea Center staff and entrepreneurs in residence, and a final live pitch round with guest judges on the following Friday. Teams will receive valuable insight and feedback from industry professionals that they can take with them into future competitive environments.

 

This program is an opportunity for students to engage with innovation and entrepreneurship in a workshop built for those who have a new idea or strengthen an existing idea over the course of 24 hours. Students who perform well in Blitz usually continue through to our larger programs, such as the Big Idea Competition or the Kuzneski Innovation Cup. Blitz is a great way to grow confidence in an idea through engagement with key concepts and pitch opportunities in a risk-free environment.

Blitz participants will:

  • work on their idea in a concentrated capacity and push the limits of what they originally thought possible
  • use the feedback they received in this program to achieve success in larger competitions such as the Big Idea Competition and the Kuzneski Innovation Cup
  • learn the basics of entrepreneurship and pitching during our Bootcamp on day 2 along with feedback from our entrepreneurs in residence
  • apply what they’ve learned in a brief practice pitch to a panel of judges on the last day

 

The Big Idea Center reserves the right to limit the number of teams accepted to participate in Big Idea Blitz to ensure optimum capacity.

Applications for Spring 2024 Big Idea Blitz are now closed. Check back in August 2024 for Fall 2024 Big Idea Blitz information!

 

Who should participate?

This program is for any Pitt student or Pitt-led student team at any point in the ideation process. You can be working on a very new idea and seeking to learn more about key concepts OR you could have been working on an idea for a long period of time and needing extra feedback and workshop experience prior to an upcoming competition.

We recommend that everyone participating as part of a team have at least 2 or more current Pitt students (a common competition requirement). However, individuals with their own ideas may participate by themselves.

 

Important Dates

Days, times, and locations for Big Idea Blitz events are subject to change.

The Big Idea Center will follow the University of Pittsburgh’s COVID-19 requirements and thus reserves the right to make any necessary event changes in order to comply with Pitt’s COVID-19 policies.

January 28, 11:59 P.M. – Application Deadline

February 2, 3:30-5:30 P.M. (in-person @ Big Idea Center) – Blitz kickoff and elevator pitches

February 3, 10:30 A.M.-3:30 P.M. (in-person @ Big Idea Center) – Bootcamp with Big Idea Center staff and entrepreneurs in residence

February 9, 1:30-4:30 P.M. (in-person @ Big Idea Center & Avenu: Meyran) – Practice Pitches

 

Eligibility:

  • Students of all levels and disciplines are welcome to apply to Blitz
  • If you are applying to Blitz as a team, the team must consist of at least 2 or more current Pitt students
  • If you are applying to Blitz as an individual, you must have an idea to work on
  • All “teams” consisting of 1 or more members must be led by a current Pitt student
  • You must come with an existing idea to work on throughout the week
  • Deadline to apply is January 28 @ 11:59 P.M.

 

Rules/Guidelines:

All participating teams/ideas in Blitz are required to have at least one team member in attendance at each listed date above. If no team members are present at the Opening Day or Bootcamp events, the team will not be permitted to present at the Practice Pitch round on February 9.

Teams that are considered “no shows” will have their absence noted in their team profile for future programs and/or competitions.

All participating teams/ideas will need to come to Day 1 of Big Idea Blitz (February 2) with a 60-second elevator pitch prepared to share with the group. Need help forming an elevator pitch? Make an appointment with an entrepreneur in residence HERE!

Looking to build your team for Big Idea Blitz? Use our TeamFinder tool to recruit team members!

Competition Resources for Big Idea Blitz Participants

The Big Idea Center has provided a resource library for participants which includes helpful tools specific to Big Idea Blitz. To access the Big Idea Blitz participant resources, please click here.*

*Note: The Big Idea Blitz participant resources page is password-protected. You will need to enter the password provided by the Big Idea Center staff which can be found in your Big Idea Blitz acceptance email.