Aspiring entrepreneurs planning to participate in ‘The Big Sell’ Entrepreneurs in Action competition can gain valuable insight at a free, ‘Big Sell’ coaching session Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.
The two-hour coaching session will be held at Purdue University Calumet’s Center for Entrepreneurship Success, located at 1247 169th St., one and one-quarter mile west of campus. Because seats are limited, pre-registration is required by phoning 219/989-3159.
Developed by Purdue University Calumet and its Center for Entrepreneurship Success in cooperation with the Hammond Development Corporation, ‘The Big Sell’ competition provides an opportunity for prospective entrepreneurs to make a two-minute pitch of their business idea to audience members and a panel of judges for an opportunity to win cash prizes and services.
Prospective entrepreneurs can apply for the competition on line at: www.thebigsell.org by 5 p.m., Friday, March 2. Applications will be evaluated, and 50 finalists will be notified and invited to make a two-minute presentation Saturday, March 31 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza Theatre. Three winners will share more than $30,000 in cash and prizes.
The new business ideas will be judged on innovation and feasibility, commercial potential and economic impact, marketability likelihood and related financial demands, as well as presentation credibility, according to Purdue Calumet Center for Entrepreneurship Success Director Dushan Nikolovski.
The Feb. 8 coaching session is intended to help provide preparation, advice and insight to ‘Big Sell’ applicants about making an effective presentation.
Also sponsoring the ‘Big Sell’ competition are NIPSCO, Crowe Horwath, the Hammond INnovation Center, The Idea Factory, Palo Alto Software, Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, attorneys Peter J. Shakula and Angela Crossin; certified public accountant Shawn Lazarian and Petri Financial Services.
Other information is available by emailing info@thebigsell.org or contacting the Center for Entrepreneurship Success at 219/989-3159 or 800/HI-PURDUE, ext. 3159.
