Zingale Big Idea Competition | Allegheny College | Business and Economics

The Zingale Big Idea Competition

The Zingale Big Idea Competition focuses on seed-level new business ideas. The Annual Competition will award a whopping total of $30,000 in prize money among the student winners. This contest emulates the experiences seen on the popular CNBC broadcast, Shark Tank, but with a heart. Unlike Shark Tank, the Zingale Big Idea distinguished panel of judges do more than evaluate business models – they offer constructive feedback, coaching and encouragement.

The next Big Idea Competition will be held on April 4-5, 2025

Deadline for registration is April 2, 2025

How can you participate?

Workshops are scheduled to help participants prepare for the competition. Those interested in competing in the Zingale Big Idea Competition and/or attend the workshops should contact Entrepreneur in Residence, Professor Chris Allison at callison@allegheny.edu.

Please note: Up-and-running small businesses with revenue are not eligible for the competition.

To be eligible to compete in the Zingale Big Idea Competition, all contestants must submit an Executive Summary of a business plan to Chris Allison. The Executive Summaries must include an overview of the company’s financials, including monthly operating costs, startup costs and at least a 1-year income statement. A three year outlook is preferable. A template for the Executive Summary can be found among the handy contest templates at the bottom of this page.

Workshop Slides

Download Week #1 Slides: Finding A Relevant Problem to Solve
Download Week #2 Slides: Creating A Big Idea To Solve The Problem
Download Week #3 Slides: Marketing Your Big Idea
Download Week #4 Slides: Developing Your Big Idea’s Financial Plan
Download Week #5 Slides: The Pitch

Working with your team, you’ll develop a presentation using the 10-20-30 Rule; that is, you’ll prepare 10 Powerpoint slides for a pitch that is 20 minutes long, using text no smaller than 30-point type on each slide. Here are the templates that you will need to complete prior to your presentation:

Zingale-Big-Idea-Competition-Executive-Summary-Template
Zingale Big Idea Competition ’20 – 1 Year Financial Plan Template
Zingale Big Idea Competition ’20 – 3 Year Financial Plan Template
Zingale Big Idea Competition ’20 – Annual Revenue Worksheet
Zingale Big Idea Competition ’20 – Monthly Expense Worksheet
Zingale Big Idea Competition ’20 – Startup Cost Estimator
Zingale Big Idea Competition ’20 – Presentation Template

The Zingale Big Idea Competition has been made possible through the generous support of Lance & Karen Zingale.