Eligibility: Participants must be currently enrolled students at Virginia Tech to be eligible for consideration and seed grant $ awards. Teams must include at least one student co-founder to be considered eligible.
Evaluation: Below is the evaluation criteria we use to review ideas submitted and determine who gets “Kickstarted.”
Judges rank each criteria on a scale from 1 to 5. The teams with the most points move on to the KickStart VT Live Pitch Finals. All teams receive feedback on their submissions and a chance to re-submit if not chosen.
Questions? Write us: apexcenter@vt.edu or drop by the Center coworking space (432 N. Main Street, Suite 200, Blacksburg, VA)
Does the student describe the idea and the problem that it solves clearly?
No – 1 Point
After reading the description it is not clear what the idea is or what problem it is solving.
Somewhat – 3 Points
The description gives a general understanding of the idea and the problem but some elements are unclear.
Yes – 5 Points
The description gives a complete understanding of the idea and the problem it is solving.
Has the student identified the appropriate milestones for developing the idea into a viable business?
No – 1 Point
The student still needs to complete an earlier stage prior to moving forward.
Maybe – 3 Points
Work could still be done on earlier stages but is not necessary to move forward.
Yes – 5 Points
This milestone is necessary for the idea to move forward.
Is the amount of funding money requested appropriate for the student to complete the milestone?
No – 1 Point
The student could complete this milestone for free or much less than requested.
Maybe – 3 Points
The student could complete the milestone with less funding.
Yes – 5 Points
The student needs this amount of funding to complete the milestone.
Has the student identified potential customers for his or her idea?
No – 1 Point
The student has not identified customers.
Maybe – 3 Points
The student has possibly identified customers.
Yes – 5 Points
The student has identified customers.
More information
