BUS477

I'd like you to benefit from the input from some folks from the business community. If we take the last 2 classes for pitches, everyone will not be able to enjoy this very valuable experience. (See Class Videos from last year. It was really fun. Many of the students last year said it was the most valuable experience they had at university.)

Last year, we combined the last 2 classes into one. The last class was just like a typical venture forum, but at over 6 hours, it was too long.

We have 15 business plan teams. If each team takes 25 minutes (15 mins for pitch and 10 for setup and questions) and we have a break or 2, that's over 6 hours. I'm thinking we could do this if:

• we include all setup time in the pitch time (e.g. fooling around with powerpoints, etc.)
• we include questions in the total time
• we reduce the total pitch time to 8 minutes
• we have 2 10-minute breaks

If we did that, the agenda would look like this:

4:30

• 10 mins - kickoff and introduction of investor panel
• 75 mins - 5 teams @ 15 mins
• 5 mins - contingency

6:00

• 10 mins - break
• 75 mins - 5 teams @ 15 mins
• 5 mins - contingency

7:30

• 10 mins - break
• 75 mins - 5 teams @ 15 mins
• 10 mins - thanks yous and wrapup

9:05

• take guests to pub

This agenda would take us 275 minutes (~4.5 hours)