Westminster students make elevator pitches

Staff report

NEW WILMINGTON, PA.

Westminster College hosted five colleges at the Perfect Elevator Pitch Competition sponsored by the department of Economics and Business and eCenter@LindenPointe.

“The Perfect Pitch Competition affords students the opportunity to move out of their comfort zone presenting to an audience and judges,” said Bob Vucenovic, an instructor in the economics and business department. “It’s always great to have your ‘pitch’ prepared, as you never know when you might turn an ordinary encounter into something amazing.”

Among Westminster College students who participated in the event were Graeme Crawford, Elizabeth Buechele, Regino Flores, Zachary Kraus of New Castle, Pa., Justin Jackovic, Ann Marie Bayma of Warren, Ohio, and Darcie Gilson of Mercer, Pa. Others in attendance were students from Youngstown State University, Penn State University, Grove City College, Penn State University — Shenango and Allegheny College.

Participants were required to pitch a new and original business idea as if they were seeking business funding from investors. The idea could be theoretical or a real business idea that the participants intend to pursue, with a maximum of three minutes to give their best “elevator pitch” to the panel of judges – which included Eddie Muransky, president, Rise Pies Handcrafted Pizza and vice president/general counsel, the Muransky companies; Jennifer Bartholomew, manager, Hill, Barth & King; and Robert Jazwinski, founder and president, JFS Wealth Advisors.

The judging benchmark was based on one question: Which business owner/presenter would I want to meet with again so that I can hear more about their business? The highest overall score won a $1,000 cash prize, second place won $750, and third place won $500.

Team Westminster was coached by Vucenovic, along with Brian Petrus, lecturer and Dr. Daniel Fischmar, professor. They were assisted by Philip Petraglia ’83, chief financial officer of Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse.