“This American Life” Radio Show Features MIT Elevator Pitch Contest

Guest Blogger: Susan Jordan

A great business idea is just that—an idea . . . unless you can procure the funding and manpower to execute it. How that idea is pitched can make all the difference in finding investment for it. The July 16 episode of Chicago Public Radio’s This American Life explored this process by taking a trip to MIT and sitting in on the Elevator Pitch Contest, part of the MIT100K Entrepreneurship Competition.

In the “Million Dollar Idea” episode, producer Ira Glass discussed the MIT contest with Tim Rowe, CEO of the Cambridge Innovation Center. Rowe describes the qualities of a successful elevator pitch as one that “is in fact new, fills a need, and is executable.” The segment is about 12 minutes long; the Elevator Pitch Contest starts at about 8:30 into the program.

This year’s contest will take place Oct. 25-27. To join the discussion about entrepreneurship year-round, visit the 100K Competition blog.

For student views of the contest, check out these YouTube videos: Killer Pitch and Sexy Pitch.