Bulldog B.I.T.E.

Bulldog B.I.T.E.
Building Innovation by Truman Entrepreneurs

An Elevator Pitch Competition with Financial Awards*

Submission Deadline: Friday, October 25, 2024 | 10 p.m. (CST)

Competition Finals: Thursday, November 14, 2024 | 2:15 p.m. (CST)

With the financial and professional support of alumni Doug (’94) and Diane (’95) Villhard and Stella Chakiris (’73), Truman State University hosts the annual Bulldog B.I.T.E. Elevator Pitch Competition. The competition allows students to pitch a for-profit or not-for-profit concept by presenting a concept or idea for a product, service, or project.

The competition is open to any Truman student or team of Truman students (up to three members) enrolled during the fall semester. Additionally, students enrolled in the fall semester at Moberly Area Community (MACC) are eligible to participate in the competition. A student or team may submit only one pitch concept for the competition.

Judges select six teams to attend a live pitch competition to present their concept to a panel of judges.

Awards

The top three finalists receive the following awards*:

  • First place: 
    $3,000
  • Second place:
    $2,000
  • Third place:
    $1,000

The Bulldog B.I.T.E. is sponsored by Villhard Growth Partners and is coordinated on campus by the Office of Advancement.

For rules and entry information, see Competition Details.


The Department of Education considers payments or winnings because of enrollment at a postsecondary institution or for the purpose of aiding a student’s study, training, or research as scholarships or fellowships. These amounts are not taxable to the student to the extent they are used to pay tuition and required fees. Payments or winnings won in a contest are considered a scholarship, if any of the following conditions apply:

  • The recipient is required to use the disbursement for educational purposes
  • The recipient is eligible to receive the funding because he/she is a student
  • The contest is related to the student’s university courses or degree completion

Per federal financial aid regulations, cash-based ‘prize’ scholarships (including gift cards) awarded to students are considered scholarships, and the value of these scholarships should run through the student’s fee bill.

An elevator pitch outlines the concept or idea for a product, service, or project in a short period of time, typically from thirty seconds to three minutes. The length of the pitch mirrors the time spent waiting for and riding an elevator in a high-rise building. The purpose of the pitch is to spur the interest of a potential investor or financial backer. A good pitch highlights the key aspects of the concept.