The HSiF Pitch Event will assess entrepreneurs on key criteria that highlight their business potential. We’ll look at the motivation and passion behind your idea, how unique and innovative it is, and where you are in the development process. Ideally, businesses should show not only financial potential but also long-term social or ecological impact. Strong presentation skills are a must, as you’ll need to clearly and confidently communicate your vision and plans for the future. This is your chance to showcase what sets you apart!
Entrepreneurs must demonstrate clear motivation and passion behind their business plan, whether addressing a personal pain point, a social issue or a market gap. The pitch should reflect genuine drive, showing the reason behind the idea. For early-stage ideas, the motivation should highlight the desire to bring a meaningful solution to the market and the impact it aims to achieve. For established businesses, this can include the story of the company's creation, its journey and long-term vision.
The business or idea will be evaluated on how well it differentiates itself in the market by offering a fresh approach or a significant improvement, whether it's an entirely new concept or an enhancement of an existing product or service.
We assess the stage of development that you and your business are currently in. We look at, among other things:
The entrepreneur: Having a clear understanding of your entrepreneurial skills is essential, including recognizing which areas require further development. Building and utilizing networks is a key part of achieving your business ambitions.
Idea development: Your idea may be at the early stage of development or further along, where you are already working on bringing your product or service to market, either with a prototype or a finished product.
Market: A solid understanding of the market is critical, including insight into customer needs, market demands, and competitors. Having paying customers demonstrates validation of your product or service in the marketplace.
Business: The organizational structure of your business, whether you work independently or as part of a complementary team, should be efficient and well-coordinated. A strong grasp of the financial and operational aspects is vital for ensuring your business’s long-term success.
When we assess your application, we focus on long-term value creation. Ideally, you have a detailed idea, with which you can solve a relevant problem for both you and society. This means your business should not only offer financial returns but also contribute positively to social and/or ecological impact.
The ability to deliver a clear, engaging and confident pitch is crucial. Participants must effectively communicate the value of their business or idea, their plan for the future and why they deserve attention. On the final pitch day, participants will be evaluated on how well they present their ideas, showcasing strong communication skills and confidence.
