C-TIDES

Everybody has an idea. Some ideas turn into successful ventures and some don't. A major problem that start-ups face is that of getting funded.

With a pool of ideas for the investors to choose from, the investors really don’t have time to go through one’s business plan. So an idea which is better pitched will be invested in. To get your ideas reach the venture capitalists and investors, C-TIDES presents the Video Pitch Challenge 2009. The Video Pitch Challenge is an online business pitching event. All you have to do to participate in the event is to register for the event and send us the “video recording” of your business idea, pitching it in the same way as you would do it in front of venture capitalists and investors, along with a presentation explaining your business idea, your plan of action, your financial projections and the market research.

Stage 1

• Register yourself at vcpitch.ctides.org.
• Go through the collection of articles and videos we have which will help you pitch your ideas better.

STAGE 2

• Prepare a video of you/your team members pitching the business idea.
• Each team has a maximum of 3 minutes for pitching.
• Video should be exactly the way you will pitch in front of an actual VC, can be a group pitch or an individual pitch, formal or informal, direct or a storyboard depiction.
• Use the time wisely in the video. It should convey all the essentials of your Business Plan, Primarily:
  • A formal introduction about yourself and your organization.
  • What is your business idea?
  • How do you plan to market the same?
  • The amount of funding you require (Should be supported by a substantial market research which is important as you have to convince the VC’s for the same amount.)

STAGE 3

Upload your entries with a 400 word executive summary on our website vcpitch.ctides.org.

STAGE 4

• The received entries shall be screened depending upon the Judging criteria.
• Teams will be shortlisted by the judges based on the above criteria.
• These shortlisted teams will be mentored to create a B-Plan for a month

STAGE 5

The shortlisted will pitch their ideas in front of VCs and the winners might walk away with the funding they need

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

The competition is for student owned, created and managed ventures. In other words, students must:

• Have played a majority role in conceiving the venture.
• Have key management roles in the venture.
• Own a considerable equity in the venture.
• Venture should a have student as the CEO, COO or the President or at any equivalent post.

TEAM COMPOSITION

• The venture need not be totally student based. The venture can be a mix of students and working professionals. The pitching in the video can be either done by a single person or group.
• However, if the video is done by a single person, it should be a student.

TEAM SIZE

As such there is no restriction in the team size, but it is advisable to keep it to maximum of 3 people.

VIDEO

• The time allotted per team is 3 minutes. Any extension in the length of the video shall attract penalty (subject to judges).
• Content should be aptly related to business. Any unconnected, untoward content shall be liable to rejection.
• You can use commonly readable formats such as .avi, .mpeg, .flv, .mp4, .3gp etc.
• Size of the video should be restricted to 40 MB.
  • Content -Business Idea, Research and Projections, Execution Plan.
  • Ability to convey and convince.

JUDGING CRITERIA

PRIZES

The top 3 entries will receive cash prizes worth Rs.15000, Rs.12000 and Rs.10000 respectively.
They also get a chance to get funded.

What is the maximum number of members in the team?
As such there is no restriction on the team size. But we suggest that the team shouldn’t comprise of more than 3 individuals.
Should the video be formal?
No. The video need not be formal. The video can be a straight-forward presentation of your idea or can have any innovative approach of conveying the information to the judges. However, any untoward, unconnected content shall be strictly liable to rejection.
Can I edit the video or is video-editing important?
Yes, editing is allowed. It is not essential though.
If I win the competition, am I guaranteed funding?
No. The winning the contest shall make you entitled to the prize money set aside for the top three teams from C-TIDES. However, funding from the VC’s shall be a mutual understanding between the winning team and the VC.
What is the purpose of the presentation?
The purpose of the presentation is to help the judging panel understand your idea/ video better.
My venture has been funded previously, can I still participate?
Yes. However, the venture should be in the early stage of development.
All I have is an idea, and I have not formed a venture yet. Can I still participate?
Yes, you can.
I am not able to upload a large file because of size restriction, and hence the file uploaded is not of a good resolution. Will this affect my chances in the competition?
No. As long as the file is viewable and audible it does not matter. In case of any discrepancy the team shall be informed and will be asked to post their entries.
Is it necessary to show the prototype in the video? Or Do I need to have a prototype?
Showcasing your prototype will surely attract the attention of VC’s. However, it is not essential to have a prototype. If your idea is service
Do we need to show the proof of the student involvement/post/ equity held? If so, how and in which stage?
Yes. A formal bonafide declaration from the company is required if you are one of the 15 entries selected. side or a strategy, than you need not think about the prototype.