Who can participate?

• All SJSU Students – Individuals or in teams – As part of a class project– As members of a student club– As an extracurricular activity

• A student can submit more than one entry• SJSU Alumni• Faculty & Staff entries will be accepted IF

space permits

Why participate?

• Win cash and in-kind prizes• Improve communication and presentation skills• Get feedback on ideas for new products and services• Meet students from other disciplines to help turn ideas

into a reality• Network with entrepreneurs and business professionals• Secure industry mentors to develop the

idea into a business plan• Enter Business Plan into the SVCE’s

Business Plan Competition in Spring 2012: you could win $10,000!

What’s an ‘Innovation’?

• It is any practical idea or concept that can change the world for the better

• It can be a new product, process or service, or simply a new application of existing technology

• We expect it to be innovative in some way, but not necessarily radical

• A new approach to implementing a standard computer program would fit, if it created new benefits

How to present your innovation?

– A poster board display is required• It can be supplemented by a model or prototype, and/or a

computer display

– In addition, participants can sign up for:• The Elevator Pitch Contest

What to compete in?

There are TWO main Competition areas:– Most Innovative Idea

• All submissions are automatically entered for this competition

• Judged on quality of poster board exhibit & supporting display (if any)

– Best Elevator Pitch• 2-minutes oral presentation

– Other special category Awards• Depending on sponsorship

– E.g., for ‘green’ innovation, social innovation, etc.

How to sign-up?

• Register on-line at the SVIC website: www.cob.sjsu.edu/svic (coming soon!)

• Registration deadline: November 16, 2011

SVIC Timeline (dates to be confirmed)

Important dates Events

Start of semester SVIC info distribution to classes

End September Registration opens

Oct 17th

(6-7:30pm)Speaker event on Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Silicon Valley

Nov 2nd (6-7:30pm)

Speaker event on Entrepreneurial opportunities in sustainable living

Nov. 16th 1) Deadline for SVIC registration2) Deadline for submission of written summary?

Nov. ? Elevator pitch workshop

Nov. 30th SVIC exhibit setup, drop-off poster boards, Elevator pitch semi-finals

Dec 1st Exhibit and Elevator pitch contest

• For more information on SVIC 2011 project guidelines: • Contact Dr. Anu Basu, Director, SVCE at

anu.basu@sjsu.edu• Contact Anu Vuorikoski, Associate Director, SVCE at

anu.vuorikoski-bullis@sjsu.edu

The Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge @SJSU is a university-wide initiative, hosted by the Silicon Valley Center for

Entrepreneurship: www.cob.sjsu.edu/svce

Ways for Faculty to encourage student participation

• Inform your students about the Fair and highlight the reasons why they should participate.

• Include the SVIC project in your syllabus.• Include a link to the SVIC website on your faculty

website. • Publicize the speaker events in your class or syllabus.• Schedule a short presentation in your class by an SVIC

volunteer.• Give credit or extra credit for speaker event attendance• Give credit or extra credit for participating in the SVIC• Take your students to visit the SVIC on Dec. 1st.