Dragon Lair Business Plan Pitch Competition
What is the Dragon Lair?
A regional pitch competition, held on November 20, where undergraduate students from regional colleges and universities present entrepreneurial ideas to a panel of business leaders. Teams can win up to $5,000 and gain real-world experience in pitching, problem solving, and innovation.
Who can participate?
- Any undergraduate student in the region
- Teams of 2–5 students
What stage should my idea be in?
Ideas must be pre-revenue and can be at the:
- Concept
- Prototype
- Early Launch
- Growth stage
What do I submit?
Register by October 31 with:
- Participant info (name, school/program/year, email, phone)
- Team info (if applicable)
- Project name and stage
- Short responses on: problem, customer, solution, value proposition, revenue model, traction, next steps
- A short video audition of your pitch
By registering, you confirm your idea is original and agree to competition rules.
What are the pitch requirements?
- Format: Simple summary of your concept (slides/visuals optional)
- Content: Must cover problem, customer, solution, value proposition, revenue model, traction, and next steps
- Time: 6-minute presentation + 4-minute Q&A
How will pitches be judged?
Scored on a 30-point rubric:
- Problem Identification (5)
- Customer & Market Fit (5)
- Solution & Value Proposition (5)
- Business Plan & Feasibility (5)
- Traction / Progress (5)
- Presentation & Communication (5)
Tie-breaker: Presentation score, then judge deliberation
Event details
- Date: Thursday, November 20
- Location: Minnesota State Moorhead Campus
- Free lunch provided
How are finalists selected?
After the October 31 deadline, organizers will review all registrations. Teams that meet requirements and show strong potential will be invited to present on November 20.
What can participants win?
- Up to $5,000 in prizes
- Recognition and feedback from business leaders
- A standout resume or grad school achievement
How do I register?
Register at mnstate.edu/pitch-competition
Deadline: October 31
Questions?
Reach out to siwei.zhu@mnstate.edu with any additional questions