During Global Entrepreneurship Week in November, in front of a panel of judges drawn from across campus and the business community, the Finalists for the BIG Idea contest competed in a live “elevator pitch” contest in which they had only 3 minutes to convince the world that their idea is the next BIG IDEA. 

In the two minute elevator pitch student competition held during Global Entrepreneurship Week, Holt Walker, Richard Foote, Delisal Cole, Jeff Crain, Gabrielle Brown, Hua Huang, Chris Carnell, Phil Willmert, and Ricky Crews successfully competed to claim top honors in their division. A panel of judges including Belinda McMurry from the Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology, Camesha Hill-Carter, Ph.D. from the Department of Elementary, Early, and Special Education and Will Miller, Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science chose the fate of the contestants. In addition, Holt Walker was selected by the judges as the Grand Prize winner for the BIG Idea competition. These students will be eligible to compete in the Redhawk Open Business Plan Competition next semester for more prizes and recognition! 

The BIG Idea Competition is sponsored by the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Southeast students who have great for-profit or non-profit ideas, and are looking to capitalize on it!  Next year be sure that YOUR idea gets into the spotlight by entering the BIG Idea contest!

Any currently-enrolled student at Southeast can participate in this contest.  The contest seeks to identify two (2) Finalists from each College and each School who will compete in the live competition for awards, monetary prizes and FAME!     

Is your BIG Idea the next BIG thing?

For more information about the 2012 BIG Idea Competition, contact Joel Bolton at jbolton@semo.edu or Sandra Cabot at scabot@semo.edu.