From a craft whiskey distillery to a security firm for the blockchain ecosystem, Goizueta students with an entrepreneurial bent have been pitching their start-up ideas to professors since the start of the school year. “Startup Pitch” (formerly known as Pitch the Professor), led by professor and serial entrepreneur Charlie Goetz, senior lecturer in organization & management and distinguished lecturer in entrepreneurship, engages entrepreneurialminded professors and students. The students make their pitches and then the professors offer feedback and recommendations. Each semester, the top eight pitches receive resources to help make their concepts a reality. “Winners” receive a desk in Goizueta’s suite in the Atlanta Tech Village (ATV), access to ATV’s free workshops and networking opportunities, and a free meeting with an attorney.
Before pitching, students fill out a questionnaire that explains their concept, the problem it addresses, its value proposition, target market, competition, and business model. In addition to Goetz, judges include guest experts from other parts of the university as well as skilled individuals working in the field.
“If you’re interested in being an entrepreneur and you have a well thought-out concept, this is your opportunity,” says Goetz.
A few of this semester’s pitches include HYPE, an app designed by Nate Silverblatt 18BBA/MSBA that allows users to turn views on Snapchat and Instagram into money for charity; Albizia, a concept conceived by Alanna Shuh 19MBA/MPH to create the first online department store for tall women; Cat in the Box, an idea from Vishal Changrani 18EvMBA for a virtual reality app that makes self-storage and moving easier; Authio, a blockchain ecosystem security concept from Virag Mody 18BBA; and craft spirit start-up Resurgens Distillery, where Chris McHargue 18WEMBA plans to create a great tasting whiskey that is “simply America, simply Georgia.”
Goetz and his fellow judges hear approximately 30+ pitches per semester. Concept pitches take place each Tuesday from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. at locations around metro Atlanta. For more, visit emory.biz/pitch.
