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Eligibility & Evaluation Criteria

Kickstart VT

Eligibility: Participants must be currently enrolled students at Virginia Tech to be eligible for consideration and seed grant $ awards.  Teams must include at least one student co-founder to be considered eligible.

Evaluation: Below is the evaluation criteria we use to review ideas submitted and determine who gets “Kickstarted.”

Judges rank each criteria on a scale from 1 to 5. The teams with the most points move on to the KickStart VT Live Pitch Finals.  All teams receive feedback on their submissions and a chance to re-submit if not chosen.

Questions?  Write us: apexcenter@vt.edu or drop by the Center coworking space (432 N. Main Street, Suite 200, Blacksburg, VA)

Does the student describe the idea and the problem that it solves clearly?

No – 1 Point
After reading the description it is not clear what the idea is or what problem it is solving.

Somewhat – 3 Points  
The description gives a general understanding of the idea and the problem but some elements are unclear.

Yes – 5 Points
The description gives a complete understanding of the idea and the problem it is solving.

Has the student identified the appropriate milestones for developing the idea into a viable business?

No – 1 Point
The student still needs to complete an earlier stage prior to moving forward.

Maybe – 3 Points  
Work could still be done on earlier stages but is not necessary to move forward.

Yes – 5 Points
This milestone is necessary for the idea to move forward.

Is the amount of funding money requested appropriate for the student to complete the milestone?

No – 1 Point
The student could complete this milestone for free or much less than requested.

Maybe – 3 Points  
The student could complete the milestone with less funding.

Yes – 5 Points
The student needs this amount of funding to complete the milestone.

Has the student identified potential customers for his or her idea?

No – 1 Point
The student has not identified customers.

Maybe – 3 Points  
The student has possibly identified customers.

Yes – 5 Points
The student has identified customers.