By Wenzhu Sun

Listen up, international students! This is an opportunity for your voices and your ideas to be heard.

Through the generous sponsorship of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Global Cleveland and the Health Tech Corridor are co-hosting an International Student Pitch Showcase November 1 at the Happy Dog at Euclid Tavern.

If you have an idea for a startup, an innovation, a non-profit program or simply a better mouse trap, now is the time to speak up. We’re planning to showcase the ideas of 12 international students before a panel of judges and an audience that includes employers, potential investors and fellow students.

Your pitch can be based on a research paper, a school project or an innovative idea that you want to share – as long as your presentation falls into one of these four categories.

  • Business Management and Process Improvement
  • IT/Connected Devices (IOT)
  • Community or Civic Innovations
  • Healthcare or Biomedical.

The showcase, which is open to the public, springs from May’s Global Employer Summit at the InterContinental Hotel. The summit included a showcase of ideas by international students outside of the main conference room. Afterward, many employers expressed gratitude that they were able to connect with students from around the world and see their ideas.

“We got really great feedback,” said Wenzhu Sun, an international talent specialist at Global Cleveland. “They found that it’s not difficult to talk to someone international. In fact, many students have such great skills and experience that they want to hire them.”

 Global Cleveland is accepting applications for the pitch contest through October 24. We will notify finalists October 27.  Please submit a one-page summary of your idea and/or 3 slides with a summary.

Judging process: 2 judges will be sitting through all 4 categories, and there’s one rotating seat. They will be asking questions and judging based on a rubric, assigning a numerical score to participants. We will have a live “people’s choice” winner ($200 visa gift card) through online survey such as Direct Poll; and winners of EACH category will receive a $700 visa gift card! In addition, winners and runner-ups will receive a certificate issued by Global Cleveland, and possible opportunities to pitch at future Global Cleveland events.

 

To apply or for additional information please visit our International Pitch Contest Page.

 

If you have any questions please email [email protected] 

 

The International Student Pitch Showcase

When: 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Where: Happy Dog at Euclid Tavern, 11625 Euclid Ave, Cleveland

Who’s eligible? Currently enrolled international students or recent graduates

Questions? Contact [email protected]; 216-472-3282 ext. 106

 

This event is sponsored by: