Ever had a business idea but no platform to present it? Need a little push to make a big leap? Now is your time to shine.

The annual "Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds" contest is now accepting potential business plans from Appalachian State students. Maybe it's a music festival. Or selling socks online. Your idea could be judged strong enough for a $1,000 top prize.

The business bullpen is now open.

The morning of March 23, 2012, during the Celebrate Entrepreneurship at ASU event, the Center for Entrepreneurship will hold the annual Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds Contest. If interested:

1. Come up with an original business idea (for profit or non-profit). It can be any business, any size, anywhere, but no franchises.
2. Develop a creative name for your business, a brief description and an explanation as to why you think it is a good idea. Prove that this is a good idea with a little outside research.
3. Submit your entry online no later than Friday, March 2, 2012.

The best 20 ideas will be selected and contest participants will be notified by Friday, March 9, 2012. Each of those 20 students will make their 90 second pitch on Friday, March 23 to a panel of entrepreneurs who will then vote on the best idea. The winner will receive $1,000! Other monetary prizes will be awarded to runners up ($500 for 2nd place, $250, 3rd place, and $250 for best presentation). Awards will be deposited into your ASU student account. For students who win awards and receive financial aid, award monies may be directly applied to those loans.

Here’s a worksheet to sharpen your acumen. [DOC] 

For more information, contact Contact Julia Rowland Boone in the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship (262-6196, rowlandja@appsate.edu / Raley 1016). Please note: All entrepreneur judges will be under non-disclosure to protect your idea.