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Using an Elevator Pitch Competition to Introduce Engineering Students to Entrepreneurship

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Conference

14th Annual First-Year Engineering Experience (FYEE) Conference

Location

University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee

Publication Date

July 30, 2023

Start Date

July 30, 2023

End Date

August 1, 2023

Page Count

4

DOI

10.18260/1-2--44851

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/44851

Download Count

67

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Paper Authors

biography

Lizzie Santiago West Virginia University

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Lizzie Y. Santiago, Ph.D., is a Teaching Professor and Director of the Fundamentals of Engineering Program in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University. Dr. Santiago holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and received postdoctoral training in Neural Tissue Engineering and Molecular Neurosciences.

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Michael Keith Brewster West Virginia University

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Daniel Augusto Kestering West Virginia University

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Kelly Stewart

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Abstract

An elevator pitch is a brief description of a product or idea with the purpose of allowing the listener to understand the basics of the concept in a short period of time. An elevator pitch is aimed to create interest in a project, product, or idea. A good elevator pitch is brief yet persuasive, uses clear language, and emphasizes only the specifics of the idea or product.

The purpose of this project is to introduce first semester engineering students to entrepreneurship using an elevator pitch competition. The elevator pitch competition was developed within the context of the first year engineering seminar. Six hundred students enrolled in a first year engineering program were asked to identify a problem and to brainstorm potential solutions to the problem. Students were split in groups of three per team. Each team was asked to devise one solution to the problem, and the proposed solution was presented using an elevator pitch format.

This study summarizes the main process used to introduce students to entrepreneurship using an elevator pitch competition. A survey administered at the end of the semester was used to better understand students’ views of entrepreneurship and the impact of the competition is students’ interest in engineering. This project benefits those institutions searching for ways to engage students and to introduce them to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Santiago, L., & Brewster, M. K., & Kestering, D. A., & Stewart, K. (2023, July), Using an Elevator Pitch Competition to Introduce Engineering Students to Entrepreneurship Paper presented at 14th Annual First-Year Engineering Experience (FYEE) Conference, University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--44851

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