Students prepare to Duke It Out at Ivy Tech

BLOOMINGTON – The Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus will host its second annual student business pitch competition on Friday, April 14. The Duke It Out Business Pitch Competition, powered by Duke Energy, will take place at 1 p.m. in Shreve Hall at Ivy Tech.

“Ten Ivy Tech students will have three minutes each to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges,” said Tarah Cromer, coordinator of the Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship. “The winners with the top three pitches will receive cash prizes up to $500 and free business consulting from the Cook Center for Entrepreneurship.”

Ivy Tech students from all academic areas were invited to apply for a spot in the Duke It Out competition and ten students were selected to participate. The competitors attended workshops at the Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship and were coached by Cook Center staff and area entrepreneurs. Competitors are from a variety of academic programs including software development, paralegal studies, general studies, liberal arts, and heath care.

Business ideas include an international student support network, café with meeting space for special needs parents and caregivers, boutique clothing line, patent-pending emergency medical product, mobile snow cone vendor, mobile investment app, bamboo underwear, sponsorship program to benefit homeless individuals, and a linen clothing line.

Duke it Out judges are Bruce Calloway, Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager; Jim Silberstein, Ivy Tech entrepreneurship program chair; Nancy Frost, Ivy Tech business administration and supply chain management and logistics program chair; and Christy Page, Ivy Tech entrepreneurship instructor.

For more information about the event, contact Tarah Cromer at (812) 330-6261 or visit www.ivytech.edu/bloomington/dukeitout.