Calvin hosts inaugural SoundOff Signal Elevator Pitch competition

Summary: On Monday, November 8, 2010, Calvin students will compete in the school's first-ever Elevator Pitch, a competition that gives students 90-seconds to impress judges with their ideas.

The inaugural SoundOff Signal Elevator Pitch competition will take place at 8 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2010, in the new Covenant Fine Arts Center recital hall.

The competition aims to help students learn how to effectively generate interest in their ideas in a short amount of time and is one of the first initiatives taken on by Calvin's new entrepreneurship club.

"We recognize that the state of Michigan's future depends on the entrepreneurial mindset of creativity and innovation," said professor of business Bob Medema, who also serves as the club's advisor.

Prior to teaching at Calvin, Medema worked in public accounting for two Fortune 500 companies and he built two successful start-up companies.

Local entrepreneur George Boerigter is grateful for Medema's work both at Calvin and also as a member of his company's board of directors. He credits much of SoundOff Signals' growth from a small Hudsonville company to a widely-recognized international leader in its industry, to Medema's guidance and support.

In response, Boerigter's company, SoundOff Signal--a manufacturer of quality emergency, bus and commercial vehicle safety products--has committed $15,000 to fund the elevator pitch competition, the business plan competition and other aspects of the entrepreneurship program for the next two years.

"The employees and Bob's fellow board members wish to honor Bob and Calvin College for his faithful work and encourage his continued educational program assisting in the development of an entrepreneurial spirit and vision at Calvin," said Boerigter.

The winner of this year's competition will receive a check for $1,000. In addition, the top two winners will represent Calvin College at the regional elevator pitch competition on November 18, 2010, at GRCC.

For more info, contact Matt Kucinski at 616-307-7429.

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Received on Fri Nov 5 16:07:30 2010