Tiffin University hosts fourth annual pitch competition

Tiffin, Ohio — Tiffin University recently hosted its fourth annual pitch competition, inviting marketing students from TU, Calvert High School and Heidelberg University to participate.

The competition, facilitated last week by Dr. Kellie McGilvray, served as the final project for the students’ semester and required them to identify a need for a product or service, create a business plan, research industry trends, design logos and slogans, and calculate manufacturing costs.

The competition featured finalists presenting their business ideas to a room full of potential clients, followed by a Q&A session with judges.

Cash prizes were awarded to the winners, with the first-place prize of $1,000 donated by Jeff Knedler, President of Hempy Water.

The winners were selected by a group of business-minded community leaders, and Knedler mentored the students throughout the semester.

According to McGilvray, “I have alumni that credits this course and experience with successfully gaining employment in their field. It is exciting that TU supports me and our students in these events. Most importantly, the mentorship that Jeff Knedler provides these students is priceless. He truly cares about the students and he pushes them to their potential which allows them to achieve the ‘Ah-ha’ moments.”

Knedler added, “I am excited to provide an opportunity that challenges conventional wisdom and changes lives in a positive way, at the same time.”

The top projects selected were “Baltrak,” “Chillow” and “The Flowbrush” from Calvert High School; “The Dragon Wagon” from Tiffin University; and “The Hangout” from Heidelberg University.