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Business and Economics Department Hosts Perfect Elevator Pitch Competition

Posted on Friday, November 14, 2014

Westminster College hosts five colleges at the Perfect Elevator Pitch Competition sponsored by the department of Economics and Business and eCenter@LindenPointe.

"The Perfect Pitch Competition affords students the opportunity to move out of their comfort zone presenting to an audience and judges," shares Bob Vucenovic, instructor, the dept. of economics and business. "It's always great to have your "pitch" prepared, as you never know when you might turn an ordinary encounter into something amazing."

Among Westminster College students who participated in the event were Graeme Crawford, Elizabeth Buechele, Regino Flores, Zachary Kraus, Justin Jackovic, Ann Marie Bayma, and Darcie Gilson. Others in attendance were students from Youngstown State University, Penn State University, Grove City College, Penn State University - Shenango, and Allegheny College.

"I appreciate Westminster making it possible for me to participate.  I was able to take classroom skills and knowledge and successfully pitch my idea," shares Gilson. "The competition was a great opportunity to pitch a business, to gain exposure and to receive feedback for my ideas."

Participants were required to pitch a new and original business idea as if they were seeking business funding from investors. The idea could be theoretical or a real business idea that the participants intend to pursue, with a maximum of three minutes to give their best "elevator pitch" to the panel of judges - which included Eddie Muransky, president, Rise Pies Handcrafted Pizza and vice president/general counsel, the Muransky companies; Jennifer Bartholomew, manager, Hill, Barth & King; and Robert Jazwinski, founder and president, JFS Wealth Advisors.

Program Manager Kyle English commented, "The eCenter@LindenPointe is proud to partner with Westminster College to offer students in our region an opportunity to explore different business ideas within a supportive environment."

The judging benchmark was based on one question: Which business owner/presenter would I want to meet with again so that I can hear more about their business?  The highest overall score won a $1000 cash prize, second place won $750, and third place won $500.

Team Westminster was coached by Vucenovic, along with Brian Petrus, lecturer and Dr. Daniel Fischmar, professor.  They were assisted by Philip Petraglia '83, chief financial officer of Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse.

To learn more about the Perfect Pitch Competition, visit www.perfectpitchcompetition.com.

(front l-r): Dr. Daniel Fischmar, Ann Marie Bayma, Elizabeth Buechele, Professor Brian Petrus, Professor Bob Vucenovic, Philip Petraglia (back l-r): Justin Jackovic, Zachary Kraus, Darcie Gilson, Graeme Crawford