AUTM and the National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2) have partnered to produce Pitch and Play – AUTM Venture Challenge session at the 2019 Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. The business plan competition allows academic-affiliated start-up companies to pitch their business opportunities to a panel of seasoned venture investors in pursuit of a $10,000 cash prize. The event gives entrepreneurs valuable experience and feedback to our start-up finalists.

Eligibility
The start-up must be a legally existing company and have a license or option-to-license with a research institution (university, research hospital, research institute, or government laboratory), and the obligated technology must comprise an integral part of the start-up’s business focus. Only one finalist from any one metropolitan area will be selected in each category. If necessary, an honorable mention category will be designated from the same metro area that is excluded from the finalist list.

The start-up does not need prior professional investment but must be seeking funding.

Start-ups that have already received (i) a Series A round, (ii) in excess of $2 million in private investments, or (iii) significant sales revenue in 2018 or before and not eligible to compete.

A start-up manager or executive must present the venture pitch, not an inventor or scientist.

Applications
Submit a non-confidential pitch deck to submissions@ncet2.org
The application should include:
Background and overview of the technology – how it is, or will be, leveraged into a commercial opportunity
Financing plan (pre-money valuation, amount sought, use of funds and cap table, if it exists)
Market (unmet need, size/opportunity for growth, entry or sales plan, barriers to adoption)
Risks (technology, regulatory, reimbursement, and market)
Competition (current gold standard, competitors)
Intellectual property strategy, proprietary assets/barriers to others entering the market
Management team description, people (management, board, advisors, inventors)
Possible acquirers/exit strategy
AUTM and NCET2 are not responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any submission. AUTM and NCET2 will not sign non-disclosure/confidentiality statements on behalf of any applicant.

Evaluation
Pitch decks will be reviewed by the AUTM and NCET2 Review Committee, which will select up to eight semi-finalists.
Semi-finalists will be announced on Friday, November 16 and are required to submit final business plans by Friday, December 7, 2018.
The semi-finalists will be reviewed by the AUTM and NCET2 Review Committee, and four finalists will be invited to present their plans at the AUTM 2019 Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. The panel may solicit additional information prior to the presentation.
All finalists are expected to provide a 2-3 minute video.
Each finalist will have 10 minutes to present his or her plan to the panel, and will have up to five minutes to address questions. Each presentation will be timed, and cannot exceed 15 minutes total. The panel will determine a first place winner, who will be announced after the meeting.
Finalists will receive:
Reimbursement of up to $1,000 for travel expenses, including hotel costs, for the AUTM 2019 Annual Meeting;
One complimentary registration for the AUTM 2019 Annual Meeting and complimentary use of AUTM’s partnering software, AUTM ConnectTM, at the Annual Meeting;
The opportunity to present to a panel of venture investors and obtain critical and constructive feedback; and
The opportunity to discuss his or her business and get feedback from partners in the venture community.
Winners
The first place start-up company receives a $10,000 cash prize.
The winner is announced at AUTM Annual Meeting and via a press release.