Hood College to Host Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition and Conference

New event to feature entrepreneurship pitch competition and academic research conference with cash awards totaling $4,000

Feb 3, 2025

By Mason Cavalier

Hood College students participate in class — Hood College students in class within the George B. Delaplaine School of Business

The Delaplaine School of Business at Hood College is thrilled to announce the Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition and Conference (EPCC@Hood) on Friday, April 18, 2025. The one-day event is designed to showcase entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking among Hood students, celebrating the relationship between academic research and the practice of entrepreneurship across the Mid-Atlantic region. A total of $4,000 in awards and prizes will be up for grabs.

EPCC@Hood will feature recent Hood alumni as well as current undergraduate and graduate students in a business pitch competition. Each team will have eight minutes to impress the judges, including five minutes for their presentation and three minutes for Q&A. Submissions for the pitch competition are due by March 16, 2025, with finalists notified by March 30.

The second part of the event focuses on academic research that promotes an entrepreneurial mindset. Academics and researchers are invited to submit extended abstracts of “works in progress” that focus on entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, innovation management and/or leadership. The conference will provide a collaborative platform for authors to receive feedback on their work, with two exceptional submissions receiving cash prizes. Submissions are due by March 16, 2025, with acceptance notifications by March 30.

Indian American Business Impact Group

Generously supported by the Indian American Business Impact Group (IAMBIG), EPCC@Hood offers a new and unique opportunity for students, alumni and academics to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas and research, gain valuable feedback and recognition, network with like-minded individuals and compete for awards that support their ventures and research.

“IAMBIG is dedicated to making a lasting impact by harnessing our decades of experience in building successful businesses,” said Ravi Puli, co-founder of IAMBIG. “We are excited to explore innovative ideas through a partnership with Hood College that address the world’s complex challenges. Our members are eager to mentor, partner with and invest in the right opportunities to drive change and create value.”