Update from Tony Redpath at MaRS:

“An important correction – the actual competition runs from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the 29th, with the class party starting at 5:00 PM and running to 7:00 PM. (12 pitches x 15 minutes = 3 hours, hence the 2 – 5). Anyone can attend to watch the pitches – but they will have to sign an NDA at the door since many entrants will have to disclose confidential ideas in order to make their pitch. The party is wide open however …and the winner of the competition will be announced, a large cheque handed out etc. I will have non-confidential summaries of each pitch available for interested parties, and they can buttonhole any team that interests them. We’ve got a great crop this year.”

The MaRS Entrepreneurship 101 is coming to a close for the 2009 season. The season ending wrap party, aka Up-Start Competition, is happening on April 29, 2009 from 5:00-7:00pm at MaRS. Twelve (12) companies will be pitching a 10 minute presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions to a panel of three judges. Unfortunately, the judges are not currently listed on the site. However, a quick assumption is that it is probably someone from MaRS Venture Group (Tony Redpath or Peter Evans), a successful past entrepreneur and a local venture investment professional.

The twelve entrants selected from the executive summary stage each give a 10-minute presentation, with a further five minutes for questions, to a panel of three judges on a day in late April (date to be confirmed). Presentations will be made under cover of a non-disclosure agreement that all audience members will be required to sign. The judges will pick the winner on that day and the first prize of $10K will be awarded. (Note that the prize will be paid out against an approved expenditure program that advances the business upon which the pitch was based.)

All of the presentations will be judged against the following criteria:

• Has the summary/presentation clearly articulated the value proposition?
• Has the summary/presentation demonstrated competitive differentiation/intellectual capital?
• Has the summary/presentation demonstrated a business model that makes money?
• Has the summary/presentation demonstrated market awareness?
• How effective was the overall presentation?
• Would you invest?

Should be a great night of pitches from the Entrepreneurship 101 class. See you there.