SayPro Pitching Sessions: Schedule Live Pitching Sessions for Participants.

Event Name: SayPro Monthly Business Model Pitching
Event Date: January 2025 (Specific date to be confirmed)
Pitching Session Dates: January 21st, 2025 – January 30th, 2025
Pitch Duration: 10-15 minutes per participant
Platform: SayPro Virtual Event Platform (Online)
Event Coordination: SayPro Competitions Office

1. Overview of the Pitching Sessions

The Pitching Sessions for the SayPro Monthly Business Model Pitching competition will be held between January 21st, 2025, and January 30th, 2025. During these sessions, each participant will have the opportunity to present their business model to a panel of judges and the SayPro community. The presentations will be conducted live, either virtually or in person, depending on event logistics.

Each participant will have 10 to 15 minutes to pitch their idea, which will be followed by a Q&A session with the judges. This structured approach allows participants to present their business model comprehensively while giving judges the chance to probe deeper into the details of the pitch.

2. Pitch Session Structure

The Pitching Sessions will be organized to ensure that each participant has sufficient time to showcase their business plan and answer questions. The structure of each session will be as follows:

Session Breakdown:

• Introduction (2-3 minutes):
  • Participant Introduction: Brief introduction of the entrepreneur and the business.
  • Overview: Quick recap of the business idea (for context).
• Business Model Pitch (7-10 minutes):
  The core presentation of the business idea, covering:
  • Problem Statement: What is the problem or need in the market?
  • Solution: What is the proposed product or service that addresses the problem?
  • Market Opportunity: Overview of the target market, including size, growth potential, and customer segments.
  • Business Strategy: How will the business generate revenue? This includes pricing, sales, and marketing strategies.
  • Financial Projections: Overview of expected revenue, costs, and profitability in the short and long term.
  • Competitive Advantage: What differentiates the product/service from competitors? Why is the business model scalable?
• Q&A Session (5 minutes):
  After the pitch, judges will have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions. The goal of this session is to probe deeper into aspects of the business plan that may require further explanation or to challenge the participant on potential weaknesses in the business model.
• Feedback (2-3 minutes):
  After the Q&A session, the judges will provide brief feedback about the pitch, highlighting the strengths of the business model and offering constructive criticism.

3. Scheduling of Pitching Sessions

To ensure a smooth and organized event, the SayPro Competitions Office will handle the scheduling of all pitching sessions. The sessions will be scheduled over the course of 10 days (from January 21st to January 30th, 2025). The following steps will be taken to organize the schedule effectively:

Step 1: Scheduling Time Slots for Each Participant

• The Competitions Office will allocate specific time slots to each participant based on their availability and preferences (if applicable).
• Time Management: Each pitch will have a maximum duration of 15 minutes, including the Q&A session. To ensure fairness, each participant will be assigned a time slot of 15-20 minutes to accommodate potential delays and ensure everyone has the same opportunity.
• Pitching Session Schedule: The schedule will be organized so that each participant pitches on a specific day within the allotted time range. The full schedule will be shared in advance to allow participants to prepare accordingly.

Step 2: Time Zone Coordination

• If participants are located in different time zones, the Competitions Office will ensure that each participant is assigned a time slot that is fair and convenient for their location.
• The SayPro platform will automatically convert the session times to participants’ local time zones to avoid confusion.

Step 3: Confirmation of Pitching Time Slots

• Once the pitching schedule is finalized, the Competitions Office will send a confirmation email to each participant, detailing:
  • The date and time of their scheduled pitch session.
  • Instructions on how to access the live pitch event (including links to virtual meetings if applicable).
  • A reminder to review the pitch submission guidelines and ensure that they are fully prepared for their presentation.

Example Email:

Subject: Your Scheduled Pitching Session for SayPro Monthly Business Model Pitching

Dear [Participant Name],

Congratulations! Your business model pitch has been scheduled for January 25th, 2025, at 2:00 PM (GMT). You will have 10-15 minutes to present your business idea, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session with our panel of judges.

Please ensure that you are prepared with your pitch deck and video, and that you are familiar with the event platform. You can join the live session by clicking the link below at your scheduled time:

[Insert Link to Event]

Best regards,
SayPro Competitions Team

Step 4: Time Slot Reminders

• Reminder Emails will be sent 24 hours before each participant’s pitch time. These reminders will include:
  • A link to the pitch session.
  • A reminder to log in 15 minutes before the scheduled time to ensure that the pitch starts promptly.

4. Virtual Pitching Platform Setup

The pitching sessions will be conducted through the SayPro Virtual Event Platform (or a similar digital tool), ensuring that all participants can present remotely, regardless of their location.

Platform Features:

• Live Streaming: Each pitch will be broadcast live to the judges and the broader SayPro community, providing visibility and engagement.
• Interactive Features: The platform will allow judges to ask questions and interact with participants in real-time during the Q&A session.
• Audience Engagement: The audience will have the option to provide real-time feedback, vote, or ask questions during the live pitching sessions, depending on the competition setup.

5. Technical Rehearsals

To ensure that participants are fully prepared for their pitching sessions, the SayPro Competitions Office will arrange technical rehearsals in the days leading up to the live sessions. These rehearsals will allow participants to familiarize themselves with the platform, check their internet connection, and ensure that their pitch decks and videos are functioning correctly.

Rehearsal Details:

• Date: January 18th-20th, 2025
• Duration: 20-30 minutes per participant
• Format: Participants will join a short virtual meeting to:
  • Test the audio and video quality.
  • Ensure that pitch decks and videos can be shared smoothly during the presentation.
  • Address any technical difficulties ahead of the actual pitch day.
• Technical Support: The SayPro technical team will be available during the rehearsals to assist with any issues.

6. Judging Criteria During Pitching Sessions

The judging panel will evaluate each participant based on the following criteria:

• Clarity of the Pitch: How clearly the participant communicates their business model, problem, solution, and market opportunity.
• Innovation and Creativity: The uniqueness of the business idea and how well it addresses a market need.
• Feasibility and Scalability: The practicality of the business model and its potential for growth and scalability.
• Market Opportunity: The size of the market, target audience, and the business’s competitive edge.
• Financial Projections: The credibility of the financial projections and the understanding of the financial aspects of the business.

Feedback from Judges:

After each pitch, the judges will provide constructive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the presentation, highlighting areas of improvement and offering suggestions for the business model. This feedback will be invaluable to participants for refining their business strategies post-event.

7. Conclusion

The Pitching Sessions are a crucial element of the SayPro Monthly Business Model Pitching competition. The competitions office will ensure that each participant has the opportunity to present their idea in a professional and well-organized setting, while providing clear instructions and assistance throughout the process. The sessions will allow participants to showcase their ideas to the judges, receive valuable feedback, and gain exposure to potential investors and collaborators. Through careful planning and execution, the pitching sessions will provide a fair and exciting platform for entrepreneurs to bring their business models to life.