DePaul University’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center is hosting the 7th Annual Purpose Pitch Competition to explore the ideas of purpose-driven startups in Chicago. The Purpose Pitch is a unique pitch session where startups pitch their greater purpose and how they plan to fulfill that purpose through their business objective. 

We will narrow down the applications based upon the strength of your purpose and viability of your business. We have two tracks: student and alumni founded/co-founded businesses. The final 8 companies (4 student teams and 4 alumni teams) will have 5 minutes to virtually pitch what they believe in, their purpose and their business model on May 24, 2023 from 5:30pm-8:00pm at 1871 for a panel of judges, students, alumni and the Chicago business community. 

Thanks to the generosity of Kutchins Robbins & Diamond, Ltd. finalists will share in $25,000 of prize money towards their business.

Applications open April 10th@ 8am CDT and the deadline to apply is May 1, 2023 @11:59pm CDT.

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We believe purpose is innate within any company and has to be accessed to reach its' full potential. We want you to pitch us; not only on what you do but why you do it. The Purpose Pitch competition showcases purpose-driven startups focused on making an impact as well as making a profit.

Qualifications:

• One member of the team must be a DePaul Student or Alumni (SII alumni also eligible) to apply.  Please mark if you are a student or alumni on the application to determine which track you are applying to compete in.
• Businesses do not need to be an established legal entity such as an LLC, to apply, however winning businesses will have up to 90 days after the competition to incorporate and to receive the award money, which will be made out to the business. 
  * If students have circumstances in which they are unable to form a legal entity, such as international students, winners will receive a scholarship award towards their tuition instead.

Our judges will validate the positioning of your company’s purpose by examining your presentation. The final 4 student companies and 4 alumni companies will be recognized as “Most Purposeful Startups in Chicago” in addition to sharing the $25,000 in award money to their company and receive additional media exposure.

The Purpose Pitch is a pitching competition for purpose driven startups sponsored by DePaul University’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center.