ELIGIBILITY

The Swim With the Sharks Pitch Competition is open to for-profit businesses within New Castle County that has been in business fewer than five (5) years. Entrants MUST have a valid business license at the time of submission, a headquarters and presence in New Castle County, and available to pitch in person at the finals located in Wilmington, Delaware.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION

All applicants must submit an application form, pitch deck, and business outline this is no more than five (5) pages including a cover page (PDF format) that includes the following information:

• Executive Summary (Mission statement company information; products & services; market and growth highlights)
• Market Research (Industry, target market, competitive, analysis, product/ service line, market position)
• Marketing & Sales (Market communications & penetration strategy, channels of distribution, partners)
• Financial Estimates (Financial projections based on estimated market size, market penetration strategy and estimated expenditure)

JUDGING CRITERIA

Submissions will be judged by a panel of judges with a range of business expertise. Initial submissions will be judged on the following criteria:

• Overall impression of business outline and feasibility of the business.
• Is there a clear understanding of the market need and opportunity?
• Does the outline clearly articulate a value proposition?
• Does the business have a clear go-to-market strategy?
• Does the business have a realistic revenue model and financial projections?

All eligible submissions will be invited to present a five (5) minute pitch virtually in front of a panel of judges. Judges will have the opportunity to ask questions. Three to five finalists will be selected based on a combined score of the written and oral presentations.

The finalists will be invited to present a five (5) minute pitch to a panel of judges in person in Wilmington, Delaware. The winner will be selected based on the above criteria by the panel of judges.

IMPORTANT DATES

Application opens: TBD

Deadline for submissions: TBD

Virtual Semi-Finals: TBD

Selected Finalists Pitch Live: TBD

Important: Applicants unable to present their pitch live to a panel of judges during the semi-final and final round listed above should not apply.

*Semi-final dates are subject to change.

Fine Print

The Emerging Enterprise Center reserves the right to verify all eligibility requirements and will, at its sole discretion, disqualify any entry it deems to be offensive or otherwise inappropriate, or not in keeping with the Emerging Enterprise Center’s image, or that is otherwise not in compliance with the terms of these competition rules.