Startup Standup
Pizza Fund Event
217 Normal Rd. NIU Library - Lower Level DeKalb, IL 60115 United States
Event Description
Startup Standup is a one-of-a-kind event that blends the worlds of improvisation, storytelling, pitching, product development, and comedy to create a unique and engaging experience for participants. The event highlight is the participants' showcase, where the spirit of a hackathon meets the excitement of improv comedy. In this competition-like scenario, participant teams will be given random innovation elements to create a fictional product and then pitch it in a fun and entertaining way.
Who can attend?
Locations have different requirements for who can attend. This location is open to the following:
Schedule
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Registration and Coffee.
Welcome, participants! Get ready for a day of fun and networking with other creative minds.
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM: Opening Remarks.
A casual introduction to the event, its goals, and a quick overview of the planned exciting activities.
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Improv for Entrepreneurs Workshop.
Paul Kassel, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and a full professor in the School of Theatre and Dance at Northern Illinois University.
Dive into some improv exercises designed to help you think on your feet, boost your creativity, and enhance your communication skills in a fun and interactive environment.
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM: Introduction to the Standup Cup & Networking Lunch.
Anna Klis, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Northern Illinois University.
An overview of the Standup Cup, its rules, guidelines, and format. Form teams and receive a set of random innovation elements (e.g., technology, target market, or problem to solve). Enjoy a casual lunch with fellow participants, network, make new friends and most of it discuss your ideas.
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM: Pitch a Product with a Story Workshop.
Becca Husar, Associate Director of Innovation & Partnership Development, College of Business, Northern Illinois University.
Federico Bassetti, Assistant Director, Office of Innovation, Northern Illinois University.
Learn the essentials of crafting and delivering killer pitches for your ideas, products, or services. This hands-on workshop will provide tips and techniques for engaging audiences and persuading them to invest in your concepts.
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM: Coffee Break.**
Grab a coffee and a snack to recharge for the prep session.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Standup Cup Brainstorming and Preparation.
Get ready for some intense brainstorming! You will have one hour to brainstorm and create a fictional product or service and prepare your pitch.
3:30 PM - 5:15 PM: Standup Cup
Russ Devereaux, Associate Director, Department of Operation Management & Information Systems, Northern Illinois University.
Experience the thrill of a live performance presenting your pitches to a panel of judges and the audience. Each pitch will be limited to a set time (e.g., 5 minutes) followed by a brief Q&A session with the judges. The judges will determine the overall Standup Cup champion.
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM: Closing Remarks, Standup Cup Awards, and Networking
Time to wrap up! We will announce the winners of the Standup Cup and present awards. Stick around for a final opportunity to network and discuss potential collaborations.
Additional Information
The event is free and open to all NIU students.
Food and snacks provided.
Sign up and invite a friend!
Hosted by
The Innovation Club is an inclusive student-led organization welcoming creative thinkers from all corners of campus who are interested in making the world a better place.The Innovation Club helps NIU students make the most out of every possibility through inspiring connections and an empowering ecosystem.
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