APPLICATION PITCH GUIDELINES
The Deadline for Applying to the 2024 Eddies has Passed.
SLIDE DECKS
01. LENTGH
Slide Decks should not exceed 10 slides in total (including first and last). Out of courtesy to the Judges, be concise and to the point. Bullet-points, graphics or short paragraphs may be used. No embedded videos are allowed; videos can be uploaded separately as "Supplemental Material". The slide deck should only refer to ONE product/technology.
02. FIRST/TITLE PAGE
Should include:
Organization/Company Name, City, Website; Name or product or service (IF different from the company name, and Track(s) in which your product/technology pertains t.
03. PROBLEM & SOLUTION (SLIDE No. 2)
Define the problem you are solving? Is it a real, existing problem, a pain or a gap that your product will help solve or alleviate? (numbers, graphs, statistics help judges understand the magnitude of the problem).
04. PROBLEM & SOLUTION (SLIDE No. 3)
Provide a statement of your solution and how it helps solve or alleviate the previously-stated problem better than current solutions.
05. HOW DOES IT WORK? (SLIDE NO. 4)
Use simple, lay terms to explain how it works/performs. Feel free to use a combination of graphics, numbers and data that will help you be detailed but concise. Do not use abbreviations or jargon specific to an industry or market.
06. UNIQUENESS/SUPERIORITY (SLIDE No.5)
How is your product different from competitive ones? Is it a "first" or an "improvement" over an existing solution? What characteristics does it have that others don't? Provide a direct comparison between your solution and competitive ones.
07. MARKET SIZE & SHARE (SLIDE No. 6)
How bit is the market? Does it make your venture a fundable one? Provide your TAM/SAM/SOM numbers, and provide your support evidence.
08. GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY (SLIDE No. 7)
How will you achieve the suggested market share (slide 6); describe your commercialization strategy, your road map, including your assumptions about the market.
If your product has not launched yet, have you tested it? Have their been trials? Market research? How will you start generating income?
09. TEAM (SLIDE No. 8)
Why is the team the right one to commercialize this product? What type of similar experiences do they have? Who is helping them? Are there complementary roles within the organization that will help bring this project to fruition?
10. OTHER (SLIDE No. 9)
Consider this an extra slide to develop any of the previous points if you feel they need more information.
11. OTHER (SLIDE No. 10)
Summary/Unique Value Proposition Slide, to tell the judges why they should pick your organization for the next phase of the competition.
VIDEO
01. TYPE OF VIDEO
Any video is acceptable as long as it answers the questions above as long as it covers ALL questions from 03 to 09 described above , and does not exceed 3 minutes in duration. Existing promotional videos do not usually address the above questions; it is suggested that a new one is produced (with a smart phone, no professionals need to be involved) narrating the points (above) that the judges will review.
02. LENGTH
Videos should be 3 minutes maximum; submissions longer than 3 minutes will not be considered. If you need help keeping your video short and concise, ask us (ContactUs@MassInnov.org) to help you; we'll be happy to.
03. TIME ALLOCATION
Your Solution (Innovation) to a specific problem, how it works, its superiority over existing/competitive alternatives should take at at least 1 1/2 to 2 minutes of your video narrative. Your commercialization narrative should be well described (or shown in charts behind the narrator) within 30-40 seconds. All other elements should be addressed in the remaining allotted time.
Practice, practice and practice some more before submitting your entry to be assessed. It may take several iteration for your to achieve your desired rendering.
