Thinking of competing in the Kuzneski Innovation Cup, Big Idea Competition, or one of our other larger competitions? Want to gain valuable experience and boost your innovation skillset? Join the Big Idea Center for Big Idea Blitz, a 24-hour+ experiential workshop opportunity created specifically for students to learn how to apply key innovation and entrepreneurship concepts to current, new, or future ideas!

This all-virtual program will consist of opening night elevator pitches, a Saturday workshop with Big Idea Center staff and entrepreneurs in residence, and a final, live practice 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 is your opportunity to not only advance your idea, but also to pitch to third-party individuals in a mock competition setting BEFORE entering a high-stakes pitch environment where actual money is on the line!

Benefits

• This program is an opportunity for students to engage with innovation and entrepreneurship in a workshop built for beginners over the course of 24 hours. Students who perform well in Blitz usually continue through to larger programs, such as the Kuzneski Innovation Cup, our Big Idea Competition, and other similar competitive environments. Blitz is a great way to build confidence in an idea through engagement with key concepts and pitch opportunities in a risk-free environment.
• Work on your idea in a concentrated capacity and push the limits of what you originally thought possible.
• Surround yourself with like-minded individuals and hear what other students are currently working on.
• Use the feedback you received to achieve success in larger competitions such as the Kuzneski Innovation Cup (Fall) or Big Idea Competition (Spring).
• Learn the basics of entrepreneurship and pitching during our idea development workshop on day 2.
• Have an idea, but are just getting started? This program is for you! Learn how you can take an idea and turn it into a potential business opportunity.

Application deadline for Big Idea Blitz is January 20 (11:59 P.M.); apply at https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/signature-programs/big-idea-blitz/.