MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition Celebrates 20th Anniversary with First Ever Twitter Pitch Contest

The MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition is proud to announce the launch of its first ever TWITCH (Twitter Pitch) contest, in honor of the competition’s 20th anniversary on May 12. For the first time in its history, the MIT $100K is putting a new spin on business plan competitions, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs from around the world to give their best business pitch- in 140 characters or less.

Exploring one of this decade’s most influential areas of technological innovation, the MIT $100K is embracing social media and the power of creating something that can “go viral.” TWITCH, a combination of Twitter and pitch, challenges contestants across the globe to summarize their business plan in one tweet, inciting as many people as possible to re-tweet their idea during the 20-day duration of the contest. It is the role of the MIT $100K to help aspiring entrepreneurs practice the skills they will need to create successful businesses, and we feel the TWITCH contest is the next logical step in our series of annual contests designed to educate the business leaders of tomorrow.

"Social media has become an important tool that helps new companies grow and expand successfully," stated Daniel Vannoni, MIT $100K’s managing director. "It is the role of the MIT $100K to help aspiring entrepreneurs practice the skills they will need to create successful businesses, and we feel the TWITCH contest is the next logical step in our series of annual contests designed to educate the business leaders of tomorrow."

The contest begins on Tuesday, April 20, and will remain open for 20 days, until Monday, May 10, in honor of the 20th anniversary. The winner will be announced at the MIT $100K 20th Anniversary Finale Celebration on May 12 and will be awarded a prize of $500. With the potential to win a little over $3 per keystroke, organizers anticipate a strong number of terrific entries.

How to Enter

The competition is open to everyone and commences April 20. Contestants must be following the MIT $100K twitter account, @MIT100k, and must re-tweet the announcement made by @MIT100k by April 20 announcing the 20th Anniversary Event and the TWITCH contest. Next, they tweet their TWITCH in 140 characters or less while including the hash tag #100kTwitch. Finally, contestants must be watching the MIT $100K finale show either in person or on the web on May 12 between 7:30-9pm EST. If watching on the web, the winner must be able to video conference in (using Skype or a similar platform) to be awarded his/her prize live.

How to Win

Tweet a great idea that inspires everyone to re-tweet it and pass it along to their followers who will re-tweet. Repeat.

For more information and full rules about the TWITCH contest, please see http://twitch.mit100k.org.

Additional Rules

1. There is no entry fee

2. Must be 18 years of age or older

3. Your Twitch must be submitted and re-tweeted by May 5th (it will be judged at that point)

4. You must be following @MIT100k as of April 20 in order to qualify

5. Entries must be submitted in English

6. You must have a valid (non-PO Box) address where you can receive prize payment, and will be required to complete full documentation in order to receive the prize

7. You can only enter the MIT $100K Twitch Contest with one entry (one entry per person, not per Twitter handle).

8. Final judgment and discretion is solely held by the MIT $100K Organizing team