Griffith Innovation Challenge

The Griffith Innovation Challenge is a University-wide business planning competition which encourages participants to:

• work on new ideas and foster innovation
• develop entrepreneurial skills, and
• create new opportunities, businesses or services which have the potential to benefit Queensland and Australia.

Throughout the Challenge, entrants develop a range of professional skills which are transferable to any industry, including teamwork, leadership, project management, commercial assessment, networking and more.

How the Challenge works

From April to August, teams attend a series of free workshops and work with experienced business planning 'coaches' to receive guidance and feedback on their business plans. In August, teams submit completed plans to a panel of judges, who select up to seven teams to continue as finalists. Finalists give a 20-minute presentation to judges in September, then present a three minute 'elevator pitch' (before winners are announced) at the Awards Evening in October.

Now in its sixth year of operation, this year's Challenge has over $60,000 in cash and prizes to be won!

Who can enter?

Teams (minimum three, maximum five members) of second to final year Griffith students (and external members - subject to our Terms and conditions (PDF 153k) can register in the Griffith Innovation Challenge.

• To enter, simply register online before Friday 14 May

Business Concept Competition

First year undergraduate students can participate in the Business Concept Competition, which was launched in 2009. The Concept Competition is a slightly simplified version of the Griffith Innovation Challenge, designed to provide new students with the opportunity to:

• learn about business planning processes
• develop skills needed to translate ideas into a persuasive, written format
• reap rewards for creative and innovative thinking (cash prizes and certificates), and
  
• extend concepts into a larger business plan, in future Griffith Innovation Challenges.

How the Competition works

Throughout the year, Competition participants attend a series of workshops to assist in the development of their concept plans. In August, entrants submit their concept plans for assessment by a panel of judges. Finalists are then invited to attend the Griffith Innovation Challenge Awards Evening, where first, second and third place winners are announced.

The 2010 Business Concept Competition has over $1,000 in cash and prizes to be won.

Who can enter?

Teams (minimum two, maximum five members) or individual first year undergraduate Griffith students can register to participate in the Business Concept Competition.

• To enter, simply register online before Friday 14 May