Students from colleges across the continent are hoping to garner enough online votes to continue to the next stage of the Outdoor Weber contest hosted by Weber State University’s Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center.
Eighty contestants have submitted a 90-second video of themselves pitching an innovative outdoor-related business plan. Submissions generated more than 14,000 online votes from the public in just three days. That number is only expected to climb as voting continues until Feb. 15.
"Outdoor Weber, just a few days into its first annual international contest, has already been wildly successful,” said Brandon Stoddard, Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center director. “We've seen a wide variety of concepts and widespread enthusiasm from both our competitors and voters alike."
The winner of the competition will receive $30,000 to develop an outdoor recreation idea. The public’s popular vote will determine the top 25 competitors to proceed to the semifinals. After that, contestants’ success will depend on a panel of industry experts who will select 10 finalists to proceed in the competition.
The final competitive event will take place March 22-24, when the remaining contestants will have the opportunity to improve their business plans with the help of world-renowned experts.
Marcus Lemonis, star of CNBC’s “The Profit,” will be the keynote speaker during the awards banquet.
“Word has spread throughout the world of this opportunity to help university students launch their outdoor recreation and adventure ideas,” Stoddard said. “Industry leaders are excited to support innovative students with exceptional ideas.”
The Outdoor Weber Contest received submissions from students at 24 universities from 13 states across the U.S., as well as from Canada. Several contestants from WSU submitted pitches for ideas for products to make outdoor recreation safer or more convenient. The range of contestants has contributed to nearly 52,000+ page visits on the Outdoor Weber contest website.
This is the first time WSU has hosted the Outdoor Weber contest, made possible by the sponsorship of Camping World. The event is one of several contests offered through the Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center to help turn student ideas into promising business opportunities.
To view the submissions or vote for your favorite, visit outdoorweber.com.
