Competitions
The Shea Center runs two major competitions each year: the Elevator Pitch Competition and the Strakosch Venture Competition. Both of these competitions are open to all Boston College undergraduate students.
Elevator Pitch Competition
Got an idea that will change the world? Here’s your chance to get started. Apple, Microsoft, Dell, and Facebook were all founded by students. BC alumni have consistently been involved in high-impact ventures ranging from the founding of Netscape to the creation of the iPod.
Ready. Set. Pitch!
60 seconds
15 Teams
$1,500 in Awards
Each team will prepare a 60 second pitch for their business idea and will present it in front of a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and Venture Capitalists, who will determine the best pitches. Cash prizes will be given to the winners. It’s just as easy, and fun, as it sounds.
2023 Winners
1st
FloBag
Caroline Driscoll '27
2nd
Inviscid Impact
Mitchell Clark '24
3rd
Ophelia
Boyun Brainerd '25
Crowd Choice
FloBag & Inviscid Impact (Tie!)
Caroline Driscoll '27 and Mitchell Clark '24
The Strakosch Venture Competition is a university-wide business plan competition designed to promote and support entrepreneurship at Boston College.
With mentoring from experienced alumni and faculty, students develop and implement the skills necessary to start successful businesses. Several sessions throughout the year offer additional coaching and advice from entrepreneurs, law partners, venture capitalists, and other executives.
Bring Your Idea to Life
Mentoring
From experiences alumni and faculty
Business Plans
Learn how to develop a detailed plan to implement your idea
Awards
$20,000 in Awards
Business plans are submitted for judging and finalists are chosen to present their plans to a panel of judges consisting of executives and entrepreneurial experts. The first place team will receive $10,000, second place $5,000, third place $3,000, and the crowd favorite team will receive $2,000. Many participants have gone on to leverage their ideas and learning to launch and grow real businesses!
2023 Winners
1st
Spore by Vitaliti
Zarah Lakhani '24
2nd
Socion
Ted Wind '25
3rd
Macellum
Justin Walker '26
Crowd Choice
RealtyShare
Arnaud Attencia '25
2023 Strakosch Venture Competition
Watch the 2021 finalist pitches and announcement of the winners