Shark Tank: The Ultimate Pitching Challenge

About the Event:

Shark Tank: The Ultimate Pitching Challenge hosted by IMI Bhubaneswar is designed to test your entrepreneurial mindset, financial acumen, and strategic vision. Whether you possess a ground-breaking product prototype, a scalable startup idea, or a disruptive business model, this premier event provides the ultimate platform to pitch, persuade, and win.

Step into the arena, prove the viability of your enterprise, and convince the panel of "sharks" that your venture is the next big market disruptor!

Competition Structure & Rounds:

The competition is structured into three progressive rounds designed to filter out the finest entrepreneurial talents:

Round 1: Preliminary Quiz (MCQ Round):

• Platform: Unstop Assessment Platform
• Format: 25 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Type: Eliminator Round
• Syllabus / Focus: The quiz will test Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Business Aptitude, and Institutional Awareness based on IMI Bhubaneswar (including official campus culture, club nomenclature like Colosseum and Fintellects, annual fests like Sparx and Phronesis, and campus event terminology).
• Rules:
• The quiz must be attempted by registered team members.
• Questions auto-submit when the time window closes.
• There is no negative marking.
• In case of a tie, the total time taken to complete the quiz will be the deciding tie-breaker.

Round 2: Executive Summary & Pitch Deck Submission:

• Platform: Unstop Submission Portal
• Format: Presentation (PPT/PDF format, maximum 5–7 slides)
• Type: Shortlisting / Elimination Round
• Deck Structure Guidelines:
• Intro Slide: Title Slide (Startup Name, Logo, Team Member Details)
• Content Slides (Slides 2-3): Problem Statement, Value Proposition, Product/Service Architecture & USP, Market Analysis & Target Audience (TAM/SAM/SOM), Current Traction/Prototype Details, and the Funding/Mentorship Ask.
• Shortlisting Criteria: Innovation, Market Viability, Financial Scalability, and Solution Clarity.

Round 3: Grand Finale — The Offline Pitch (Shark Tank Round):

• Venue: IMI Bhubaneswar Campus (Offline)
• Format: Live Pitch Presentation in front of a distinguished panel of "Sharks" (Investors, Industry Leaders, and Faculty).
• Time Allotment: 10 minutes total (5 minutes pitching followed by an intensive 5 minutes Q&A session).
• Rules:
• Shortlisted teams must present the core product/PPT submitted in Round 2 (minor additions or visual refinements are permitted).
• All team members must be present physically at the IMI Bhubaneswar campus.
• Visual aids, dynamic prototypes, or live product demonstrations are strongly encouraged.
• Teams will engage in simulated or real funding/equity negotiations with the Shark Panel.

Eligibility & Team Guidelines:

• Eligibility: Open to Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Business School students from all streams and disciplines, currently enrolled in full-time courses.
• Team Size: 1 to 3 members per team.
• Multiple Registrations: A participant cannot be a part of more than one team. Doing so will lead to immediate disqualification of all associated teams.

General Rules & Terms:

• Plagiarism Check: Any form of plagiarized deck, copied concept, or unoriginal content will lead to immediate and permanent disqualification.
• Authority: The decision of the organizing committee (IMI Bhubaneswar) and the judge panel will be final and binding in all respects.
• Deadlines: All participating teams must strictly adhere to deadlines published on the Unstop platform.
• Travel & Logistics: Travel and accommodation details for Round 3 finalists will be communicated post the announcement of Round 2 results.

Gear up your teams, refine your business models, and get ready to dive into the tank!