Elevator Pitch Competition

Learn how to tell a prospective employer about yourself, your education, skills, and career goals in the length of an elevator ride and possibly win a share of $1,750 in scholarship money by participating in the Ilitch School elevator pitch competition.

An elevator pitch is a 90-second personal statement that summarizes who you are, what you know and what you want to do leaving the person you are speaking with impressed and wanting to learn more about you. It is a useful tool in any number of situations from chance meetings to career fairs and job interviews.

Helpful links

• How to Craft the Perfect Elevator Speech in 2024 (with Examples), The Speaker Lab
• How to Give an Elevator Pitch (with Examples), Indeed.com
• The Art of the Quick Pitch Making Every Second Count, Forbes

Questions?

Please email ilitchbusiness@wayne.edu with any questions about the competition.

Competition details

• The contest is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled in the Mike Ilitch School of Business.
• Participants must attend a mandatory workshop and pass through a preliminary round of judging to be eligible to compete in the finals.
• The final competition will take place with Detroit-area executives at the Renaissance Center on Friday, October 25, 2024.
• First Prize: $1,000 | Second Prize: $500 | Third Prize: $250

Stage 1: Attend a mandatory workshop.

To compete in the fall 2024 Elevator Pitch Competition, you will first sign up for and attend a mandatory workshop. The workshops will be held in person at the Ilitch School in room 229, except for one session offered virtually via Zoom and Canvas. Students should register for a workshop with their WSU AccessID email and password via Handshake, using the links below.

• Register for the October 7 in-person workshop from 1-2 p.m.
• Register for the October 8 in-person workshop from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Register for the October 9 in-person workshop from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Register for the October 10 in-person workshop from 1-2 p.m.
• Register for the October 11 virtual workshop from 1-2 p.m.

Stage 2: Attend and compete in the semifinals

Semifinals will be held in Ilitch School Skywall rooms 139/145, on October 23, 2024. Students will pitch to Detroit executives, and judges will determine which 25 students will make it to the final round.

Stage 3: Vie for scholarships!

If you are chosen as a finalist, you'll be invited to compete for scholarships of $1,000, $500 or $250 at the Renaissance Center. The final round of the competition will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024. 

Gold Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor:

Prize Sponsor: