Loyola x Ycenter presents
Loyola University Maryland Greyhound Pitch Competition
Feb 22-23, 2025
2-Day Experiential Workshop and Pitch Competition
This two-day bootcamp is designed to take participants through the process of breaking down a complex problem, developing ideas, defining actionable solutions, and creating a business model for the venture. Loyola University Maryland's Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship has partnered with the Ycenter to deliver this amazing, two-day immersive program.
You will learn and apply tools and techniques related to Entrepreneurship, Complex Problem Solving, and Human-centered design. Through a series of workshops and activities, you will ideate, build, and explore new ways to solve real-world problems using the power of creativity and business. Individual registrations are welcome, you do not need to have a team or even an idea to participate in this event.
Program Date: Feb 22-23, 2025 - 9:00 AM to 5.00 PM
Registration Deadline: February 20, 2025 by 11:59pm, or the maximum capacity is reached
IS YOUR IDEA WORTH
$1 MILLION???
Loyola University Maryland's Greyhound Pitch competition is participating in the Hult Prize global business pitch competition. One Greyhound team will be selected to participate in Hult's national competition in Boston in March 2025 for an opportunity to qualify for their $1M global award. The participants of this workshop will have a golden opportunity to work towards building that BIG IDEA.
Who can participate in this workshop?
Who is this for?
Students with existing early stage ideas or wanting to learn about Entrepreneurship and design thinking for new ideas.
No prior experience required.
All learning and working materials will be provided.
Should be available to attend the event in person on both days.
Top skills you acquire:
Complex Problem Understanding and Breakdown
Cause and Effect Analysis
Idea to Prototyping
Stakeholder Mapping and Market Research
Human Centered Design
Creative Problem Solving
Building and pitching your Business Idea
Program Structure
You don't need a team or even an idea to participate in this interactive program. The entire two-day workshop is comprised of engaging, hands-on activities rather than just learning theories and concepts. You will develop your own ideas at the outset of the workshop or pick a problem statement under the context of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to develop into a business and pitch by the end of the two days. Awards are planned for innovative ideas and quality pitches.
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9 - 9.30 am Registration, Introduction to the program
9.30 - 1130 am Complex problem breakdown using Human centered design
1130 - noon Building a problem statement and design brief
noon - 1 pm Lunch
1 - 2 pm Using Empathy as a primary market research tool
2 - 3 pm Secondary research and Problem statement verification
3 - 4 pm Final opportunity design and Startup Idea foundation
4 - 5 pm Reflections and open agenda
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9 - 9.30 am Day 2 registration and mindfulness session
9.30 - 1030 am Creative Thinking activity
1030 - noon Final idea selection
noon - 1 pm Lunch
1 - 2 pm Idea building
2 - 330 pm Storytelling and final pitches creation
330 - 430 pm Final Pitches and Feedback
430 - 5 pm Certificates and Next steps
Get A Verified
LinkedIn Certificate
Upon completing our program, Ycenter will provide participants with a verified certificate that can be showcased as a LinkedIn badge, highlighting your achievement and new skills. This badge not only enhances your professional profile but also signals to potential employers that you've gained valuable, hands-on experience in innovation, sustainability, design thinking and entrepreneurship. We will also showcase your project on our newly launched global repository of SDGs projects for additional growth and networking opportunities.
University sponsor partners
Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Loyola University Maryland
Loyola's Nick and Susie Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship aims to nurture student innovators and make an impact in the Baltimore community through education, hands-on experiences, and creative experimentation. The SCI&E leads Loyola's innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Center provides mentoring opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the public in the Baltimore City community. Our award-winning flagship program, the Baltipreneur Accelerator provides 10-12 Baltimore City and Loyola-based entrepreneurs with the opportunity to take their businesses to the next level through mentoring, personalized content, networking, and pitch development. The program culminates in Demonstration Day, delivering their pitches to their peers, potential investors, and the wider entrepreneurial community.
Sellinger School of Business, Loyola University Maryland
The Sellinger School of Business and Management is internationally recognized for scholarship, ethical leadership, history, and reputation. This tradition of excellence in business education means our graduates are highly sought after by employers and are Loyola Ready to succeed in whichever path they pursue after Loyola. In fact, 98% are employed full-time or in graduate programs within six to nine months of receiving their diplomas—and earn mid-career salaries 30% higher than graduates of competitor institutions.
Natural & Applied Sciences Division, Loyola University Maryland
Natural and applied sciences at Loyola engages its students through excellence in the study of biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, data science, engineering, forensic science, mathematical and statistical science, and physics. Students learn to become adaptive learners and ethical leaders ready to serve in a diverse and changing world.
Pitch Creator
Pitch Creator is dedicated to teaching entrepreneurs how to efficiently craft effective business pitches for investors, catering to both CEOs and founders who are raising growth capital or competing in pitch competitions, as well as college and university entrepreneurship instructors preparing students for end-of-semester presentations. Since its founding in Baltimore, MD, in 2014, Pitch Creator has helped over 2,500 students and entrepreneurs through its online courses. CEOs who have provided testimonials on the Pitch Creator website have collectively raised over $100 million in capital. The company has also partnered with more than 35 colleges, universities, and organizations, leading over 25 custom training programs designed to empower individuals with the skills to communicate their business ideas with clarity and confidence.
This program is delivered under the umbrella of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - UN SDGS
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Meet the Program Facilitators
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Dhairya Pujara, Founder, CEO Ycenter
Dhairya started his first company at the age of 19 solving the problem of affordability and accessibility to academic books in India. At Ycenter, he has built award winning Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation programs for universities and organization in 30+ countries across 4 continents. His work has been featured in Philadelphia Business Journal, BBC Radio, Entrepreneur magazine, Times Media group and more. He has been a global public speaker with invitations from the United Nations, World Bank, World Economic Forum, Social Enterprise World Forum, SXSW, TEDx and top universities and Fortune 500 companies. He has worked as Policy Innovator and Advisor for multiple governmental agencies and think tanks around the world. Most recently, Dhairya has expanded his expertise in the fields of International Trade, Supply Chain, ESG consultation for large companies with special focus on Carbon reduction and Net Zero techniques. He is a serial entrepreneur, working directly to support job creation, technology innovation ventures and for this work he has received a visa reserved for individuals of extraordinary abilities from the US immigration services.
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Jon Weinstein, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Loyola University Maryland's Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Jon, a member of the Management & Organizations faculty and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Loyola University Maryland's Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, plays a vital role in managing and teaching within the Innovation & Entrepreneurship minor program. He serves as a mentor and advisor to student and community entrepreneurs and leaders within the ecosystem. As an entrepreneur, management consultant, and executive coach, Jon brings a diverse background to his work. His consulting career gained momentum when he founded Line of Sight, a firm dedicated to enhancing client success through project management, process improvement, and organizational change, serving clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies and government organizations. Jon has co-authored two books and numerous articles on project management, leadership, strategic planning, and organizational change, and has spoken widely across the U.S., South Africa, and Europe. His public service includes being an elected member of the Howard County Council in Maryland and serving on the Maryland Department of Health's executive team, where he helped lead the state's COVID pandemic response.