Frost School of Business encourages entrepreneurial spirit with Frost Pitch Competition
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary’s Frost School of Business is teaming up with Shreveport’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP) to sponsor the Frost Pitch Challenge, a business plan competition for Centenary students with prizes totaling nearly $5,000. Interested students will work through an application, workshop, and business pitch process that spans several months. The top teams will be invited to a final pitch competition event in November 2021, where a panel of judges from the local business and education community will determine a Top 3 for the cash prizes.
"Thanks to the partnership with EAP, Centenary students have a unique opportunity this semester,” said Dr. Barbara Davis, dean of the Frost School of Business. “The competition is like the program 'Shark Tank' - pitch a great idea and possibly receive prize money! Creative Centenary students have an opportunity to learn, compete, and win cash. The competition is open to all students. I urge any interested student with an idea for a product or service to register and learn how to become an entrepreneur. Training will be provided so students are confident and prepared when it's time to ‘pitch’ their idea and compete for prizes."
The Frost Pitch Challenge is open to any Centenary student and students can propose business ideas in any industry or area of interest. After completing an online application, students attend a series of workshops and receive professional coaching from EAP and local business professionals serving as competition mentors. After the final business plans have been submitted, five teams will be invited to participate in the final pitch challenge to present their idea to a panel of judges. The winning team will receive $3,000, second place will receive $1,000, and third place $500.
Preston Langley, a business and financial analyst with EAP, is coordinating the Frost Pitch Challenge and helping to recruit students to the competition.
“It’s extremely rewarding for me to be able to take part in competitions like the Frost Pitch Challenge, and see the development of students throughout each stage,” said Langley. “Many times, students in the early stages don’t believe they have what it takes to create a great idea or change an industry, because they haven’t had that exposure before. These types of competitions in higher educational settings teach students how to think outside of the box to problem solve, and its oftentimes the most creative or hardworking students who are surprised when their concepts receive positive feedback. Seeing those students gain the confidence to become entrepreneurs after the competition is one of the most amazing feelings I could ask for.”
Centenary students have until September 30 to sign up for the Frost Pitch Challenge. Details on how to sign up are available at centenary.edu/frostpitchchallenge.