Dragon Lair Business Plan Pitch Competition | Pitch your idea to win thousands in prizes

Dragon Lair Business Plan Pitch Competition | Pitch your idea to win thousands in prizes

The competition will begin at 9 a.m. in the Glasrud Auditorium of Minnesota State Moorhead's Weld Hall. Following the one round presentation format, all participants will be provided lunch.

Who can participate?

• Any student in the region
• Teams of 1-3 students

What stage should my idea be in?

Ideas must be pre-revenue and can be at the:

• Concept
• Prototype
• Early Launch
• Growth stage

What do I submit?

Register by October 18 with:

• Participant info (name, school/program/year, email, phone)
• Team info (if applicable)
• Project name and stage
• A business plan addressing the following:
  • Problem Identification, which clearly defines a real and significant problem/pain point.
  • Customer & Market Fit, identifying a specific target market and showing evidence of customer discovery or demand.
  • Solution & Value Proposition providing a clear, innovative solution.
  • Feasibility outlining how the venture could generate revenue or sustain itself, especially in terms of resources, cost, and scalability.
  • Traction / Progress sharing prototype, pilot test, or early user/market feedback to show momentum toward implementation.

By registering, you confirm your idea is original and agree to competition rules, and acknowledge you winners may need to complete tax forms in order to claim prizes.

What are the pitch requirements?

• Format: Simple summary of your concept (slides/visuals optional)
• Content: Must cover problem, customer, solution, value proposition, revenue model, traction, and next steps
• Time: 6-minute presentation + 4-minute Q&A

How will pitches be judged?

Scored on a 30-point rubric:

1. Problem Identification (5)
2. Customer & Market Fit (5)
3. Solution & Value Proposition (5)
4. Business Plan & Feasibility (5)
5. Traction / Progress (5)
6. Presentation & Communication (5)

Tie-breaker: Presentation score, then judge deliberation

Event details

• Date: Tuesday, November 17
• Location: Weld Hall, Glasrud Auditorium
• Free lunch provided

How are finalists selected?

After the October 18 deadline, organizers will review all registrations. Teams that meet requirements and show strong potential will be invited to present on November 17.

What can participants win?

• First prize of $3,500
• Second Prize of $1,500
• Third Prize of $500
• Recognition and feedback from business leaders
• A standout resume

How do I register?

Register at mnstate.edu/pitch-competition
Deadline: October 18

Questions?

Reach out to [email protected] with any additional questions