Idea Consultation Tips and Guidelines

Participants that have non-developed ideas will be allotted 15 minutes to pitch their idea to the expert advisors.

Participants that have started developing their idea will be allotted 30 minutes to pitch their idea to the expert advisors.

• Illustrate the pain in the industry and how you are going to solve or add value to it.
• Insure it is short and concise. This will allow you to have sufficient time for feedback with the experts. Detailed information should be shared when the advisors ask questions for clarification.
• Make it very easy to understand
• Avoid the use of jargon or big complicated words as much as possible.
  • Clear ideas. Only focus on the main components of your business.
• Your pitch must be greed inducing.
  • Show how big the market is.
• It must be irrefutable. Do not make statements or comments that can be argued by anyone.

• Short and concise (Should be no longer than 5 minutes to pitch)
• Power point is not necessary, however if you feel it will help communicate your idea; make one. (No longer than 5 slides)
• Visuals help.
• It is important for you to do some research on your idea.
  • Know the industry, the competitors (anyone else with a similar idea)
  • Any stats that you can find to help prove there is a need for your product or service.
  • Essentially, look into any information that will help you explain your idea and answer questions.
• Have a list of questions and expected outcomes for you to present to the expert panel. Tell them what you are looking for and what you need help with

• Short and concise (Should be no longer than 12 minutes long)
  • Focus on the most important aspects of the business. Do not go into a lot of detail unless the experts ask a specific question about something. Just enough for anyone to understand your idea/business.
    • Example: If you have sales already, that is something you should mention in the first 2 minutes of the pitch.
    • It is also important to say what stage you are in with your business.
• Have a power point and any visuals you need, to help you support and explain your idea.
• Have a list of questions and expected outcomes for you to present to the expert panel. Tell them what you are looking for and what you need help with.

A student StartMeUp Ryerson Consultant will be present to write up all the comments and feedback that are given during the Idea Consultation. These notes will then be e-mailed to you and your team so that you will be able to refer back to all the experts’ comments and suggestions at your own convenience.