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Engenius Solutions throws a “Rocket Pitch”

Parker Lee

Ad Manager

Engenius Solutions is a non-profit division of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and is geared entirely towards helping students here get their ideas past the theory phase and into prototype if it proves feasible. Engenius Solutions is holding their first annual “Rocket Pitch” to help introduce students to that prospect.

The “Rocket Pitch Competition” is for students with an idea for a campus business. For the aspiring businessman, there are many incentives to enter: $3500 in prize money will be given out, not to mention the iPod raffled to all entrants. First place takes home a solid $2000, with second and third winning $1000 and $500 respectively.

No worries though, the prize money is simply that, a prize. There is no obligation to continue the project proposed or use the prize money in any specific way. Benjamin Cook, the Engenius Business Director, emphasized that, “These projects do not have to be followed through with; however it would be great if they were. The purpose of this competition is to get people thinking about entrepreneurship in an engineering environment.”

If you don’t know where to start, the process is straightforward; fill out the registration form online, e-mail it to Benjamin Cook with your (maximum) five presentation slides, and practice for a strictly three minute verbal presentation.

The “Rocket Pitch Competition” accepts teams of up to three members as well as individuals, but the presentation must be given by only one member, and prizes will be divided evenly among team members.

If you’re nervous about entering, Engenius is hosting three separate help sessions for information on how to pitch an idea in such a short amount of time under these conditions. The first was on March 18, the next is on April 15 at 7:00 p.m. in M149, with the third being given on April 22 at 7:00 p.m. in a to-be-determined location. These workshops look to be very promising with helping students find what they need to do and to help solve problems in their presentations.