Samantha Weeder of Genoa was among the winners in the recent 3-2-1 Quick Pitch competition. Photo provided-
Samantha Weeder of Genoa was among the winners in the recent 3-2-1 Quick Pitch competition. Photo provided
LINCOLN — Samantha Weeder of Genoa, a senior majoring in agribusiness at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, won a $500 prize in the university’s recent 3-2-1 Quick Pitch competition.
Hosted by the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship, the event gives students from any college on campus a platform to deliver a three-minute business idea to volunteer judges from Nebraska’s entrepreneurship community for the chance to win cash prizes totaling $12,000.
By finishing in the top two in one of 12 competition groups, Weeder also earned a guaranteed spot in the center’s New Venture Competition in April to vie for a $15,000 grand prize and other potential investment from the student-led Husker Venture Fund.
“After doing this for more than 15 years, I’ve seen incredible things that past competitors are now accomplishing,” said Sam Nelson, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and associate professor of practice in management. “Many would say they got their start here - sharing their ideas with successful businesspeople. It’s a big step, especially for students used to presenting only in a classroom, and they gain a lot from the experience.”
The event’s 12 competition “rooms” were in the hallways of Howard L. Hawks Hall, the home of the College of Business.
Thirty-eight Husker alumni and friends served as judges, including Bob Frady, co-founder and CEO of PropertyLens, who traveled from Minneapolis for the event.
“One of people’s biggest fears is public speaking, and this event made some shake with nerves,” he said. “But in a supportive environment like this, it’s a huge help for their careers, even if they don’t continue with their business idea.”
Husker alumna Christie Stukenholtz, co-founder and CEO of Senior Care Finder, said she heard pitches ranging from early ideas to fully operational businesses and saw the potential for success among participants.
“The students’ poise, clarity and storytelling ability were impressive,” she said. “They were vulnerable in sharing their personal story to paint the picture of the problem they are trying to solve. We shared how proud of them we were and encouraged them to share how well they did with their families. Putting yourself out there is no small feat, and they’ll be better for it.”