Great Ideas 2024
The competition finals will be held during Fall Semester 2025. Dates to be announced.
The Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship is humbled to be the home of the Ryan and Shauna Ockey Great Ideas Competition. This competition creates an opportunity to empower students to build confidence, expand their network, stretch and grow, and have a positive impact globally as they find ways to serve throughout the world. All majors and minors are welcome to participate! There are no registration fees to enter the competition. Scholarships will be awarded to the top three teams. All finalists who do not place will receive a participation scholarship.
Submissions to the competition must support the mission of BYU–Hawaii “to prepare students of Oceania and the Asian Rim to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in their families, communities, chosen fields, and in building the kingdom of God.”
Student Resources
Great Ideas Business Competition FAQs
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Toggle ItemHow Do I Register for the Competition?All BYU–Hawaii students can participate in the Great Ideas Competition. The registration deadline for the Fall 2024 competition is October 19, 2024, at 11:59 pm. To register, visit the competition page on the Willes Center website, complete the online application form, and submit the required information by the specified deadline. You will receive a confirmation notification in Canvas once your registration is complete.
Competition Course page. -
Toggle ItemWhat Are the Different Stages of the Competition?The competition consists of three rounds.
- Round One (Online Judging): Participants submit a pitch deck with an embedded 2-minute video, which is evaluated by a panel of online judges. For round one, teams must have completed the application module and submitted a 13-slide pitch deck with an embedded 2-minute video outlining their business idea following the guidelines in the Canvas course.
- Round Two (Semifinals - In-Person Judging): Semifinalists present their business ideas in person to a panel of judges and participate in a public booth showcase. The semifinal and final rounds will be held in HGB 273/275 at BYU–Hawaii. Detailed directions and schedules will be provided to all semifinalists and finalists.
- Round Three (Finals): Finalists present their refined business ideas to a panel of guest judges for the final evaluation. Teams selected for the semifinals must prepare a booth that visually represents their business idea. This includes posters, product samples, or any other materials that effectively communicate the concept. Detailed guidelines will be provided to all semifinalists.
- Round One (Online Judging): Participants submit a pitch deck with an embedded 2-minute video, which is evaluated by a panel of online judges. For round one, teams must have completed the application module and submitted a 13-slide pitch deck with an embedded 2-minute video outlining their business idea following the guidelines in the Canvas course.
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Toggle ItemWhat Are the Prizes and When Will the Winners Be Announced?Prizes for the competition include scholarships, possible mentorship opportunities, and in-kind services. Details about specific prizes will be announced closer to the competition date.
- Semifinalists will be announced live on October 30, 2024.
- Finalists will be announced live at the end of the public booth showcase on November 13, 2024.
- Winners will be announced during the awards presentation on November 14, 2024.
- Finalists who do not place will receive a participation scholarship.
- All participants are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony.
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Toggle ItemWhat Are the Judging Criteria?Judges will evaluate submissions based on several criteria, including the clarity and quality of the business idea, market understanding, feasibility, innovation, presentation skills, and the potential impact of the business.
Teams are selected based on the scores given by the judges in each round. The top-scoring teams from round one will advance to the semifinals, and the highest-scoring teams from the semifinals will move on to the final round. -
Toggle ItemAre There Any Workshops and Labs Available To Help Teams Prepare?A series of workshops and labs are held to help teams prepare for the competition. These workshops cover essential topics such as structuring a business, creating a value proposition, market analysis, and financial management. A detailed schedule of the workshops can be found above, as part of the competition schedule. The labs immediately follow the workshops and are used to help students develop their business plans. All students are welcome, even if they are not planning to enter the competition.
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Toggle ItemWhat Are the Rules and Standards?Changes to the pitch deck or video are not allowed after the submission deadline for round one. However, semifinalists may refine their presentations for the in-person rounds. See the Rule Book for deadlines.
Business casual attire is recommended for all rounds of the competition. Teams presenting in the final round are encouraged to dress in professional business attire. -
Toggle ItemHow Can I Stay Involved With the Willes Center After the Competition?There are many ways to stay involved, including joining our mentorship program, participating in future competitions, and attending workshops and events hosted by the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship. Check our website and social media for more information on upcoming opportunities.
