Calling all Stellenbosch University studentpreneurs to come and pitch their businesses and ideas at the SU IdeaSmash 2021 and stand a chance to win your share of R50 000 in prize money and entry into the SU LaunchLab Countdown: Idea Validation programme.

Stellenbosch University LaunchLab and the SU Office of the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation are proud to present this Stellenbosch University Pitch Competition once again. The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across all disciplines. Both full-time and part-time students can participate.

IdeaSmash is SU's internal round of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Intervarsity Programme (EDHE). The winner of this internal round will be put forward to represent the University at a regional and eventually national level of the EDHE Intervarsity Competition for 2021.

Last year's winner of the Existing Business – Tech category, was SU student Keaton Harris. He is a student at the Tygerberg Medical Campus. Keaton's business, InforMed, is an offline mobile healthcare translation tool that focuses on breaking language barriers between healthcare professionals and patients. It uses an adaptive approach that is geared towards obtaining translations from healthcare professionals that not only have a medical degree but can also show fluency in both English and another language. Keaton and the other provincial finalists will be receiving a share of R60k seed funding to support their business. Keaton has also been receiving incubation services from the SU LaunchLab where he is currently going through the Countdown: Business Validation programme.

“IdeaSmash is an opportunity for SU students to be part of SU LaunchLab's incubation programme which gives them the connections they need to start, build and grow their own businesses," says Joshua Romisher, CEO. “Students will be able to validate their concepts or improve their technology offerings to the market. SU LaunchLab will assist students to validate their value propositions and discover who their customers are, using a lean startup approach."

Regional winners receive an exclusive invitation – travel and accommodation included – to pitch their businesses in the national finals and attend the prestigious EDHE Awards 2020. These finalists have ample opportunity to network with like-minded peers, given that they spend two days with the top studentpreneurs from across the country. In the process, valuable business connections and friendships are developed.

Category winners in the national finals not only walk away with cash prizes of R20 000 each but also qualify for business support and mentorship to develop their business ideas and/or grow their winning businesses.

The overall winner of the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity 2021 walks away with prize money to the value of R100 000 and the coveted title of national Studentpreneur of the Year 2021.

The categories for entry are:

1. Business Ideas

2. Existing Business – Tech

3. Existing Business – Social Impact

4. Existing Business – General

In judging the entries, a number of different factors will be considered, including the following:Is the business model clear and feasible?

• Is the business model clear and feasible?
• Has the business been tested in the market yet?
• Who is the target market and how is the business positioned to reach its target market?
• How is the business different from its competitors?
• Is the business opportunity realistically achievable?
• What (if any) investment has been made in the business thus far?
• What is the amount of up-front capital investment required?
• Is there a team involved in the business and what are the roles of the different team members?
• How long will it take from the current stage of development to bring this to market?
• Can the business achieve a leading position in the market?

IdeaSmash is the perfect chance for SU students to turn their business ideas into reality. The deadline ​for this year's competition has been extended to 14 May 2021. To find out more or to enter your business or ideas for this year's competition, go to https://launchlab.co.za/events/ideasmash-2021/.