2021-22 Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge

The Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge is a three-round pitch competition available to any student enrolled in the 2021/2022 academic year.

Prize Money

Cash and in-kind services will be awarded. Those services could include legal services, website development, branding design, accounting, trademark services, and office space. Final Round prize money is $15,000 to the grand prize winner, $10,000 to second place, and $5,000 to third place. Payment will be delivered to winners as they achieve pre-approved milestones.

The Competition

Round 1

Round 1 is a pitch competition that will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from noon to 2 p.m. on the mall of ECU’s main campus. Each team can upload a video pitch (to YouTube) to be reviewed by professional judges. Twelve teams selected by popular vote and judges will move on to Round 2. A total of $2,000 will be distributed, based on votes, to participants.

Round 2

Round 2 is a five-minute pitch followed by Q&A that will take place in January 2022. Judges will select six teams that will move to Round 3. A total $2,000 seed money will be awarded.

Round 3

Round 3 will be held in April 2022. Six teams will each present a five-minute pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A. A panel of entrepreneurial leaders will select the winners.

Learn more & register at business.ecu.edu/msoe/pec