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What to Expect

Resources

The CIL has put together a comprehensive list of resources for SwatTank. Throughout the process, the CIL and partners from Career Services and the Social Innovation Lab will host workshops and meetings to connect students with different tools to use in their idea development. This collection of resources has been designed to give some extra guidance in topics such as the Business Model Canvas and Social Business Model Canvas, Value Propositions, Pitching, and working with an Alumni Mentor. 

Mentorship

Traditionally, mentorship is a critical part of SwatTank. Early on, students are matched with an alumni mentor relevant to their idea to provide guidance and support as they work through this process. Their mentor is meant to be a resource to talk through ideas and questions, connect with someone in a professional context, and provide experience necessary to help a new business. We are thankful and proud that our mentors are each experienced, knowledgeable, and care tremendously about helping students!  

Judging

Teams of students will be asssed on a set of criteria specific to the ideation and creativity. Judging components may change year-to-year depending on the scope of the SwatTank program but teams can expect to submit a SwatTank Project Report and deliver a final pitch of their project and the work they have done. Following the Round One submissions, chosen teams and projects will go on to compete at the SwatTank Finals in April where they will give a more developed idea and project presentation. The general judging criteria are as following:

  • Overall concept of the business 
  • Creativity
  • The Pitch: Verbal delivery + visual design of presentation 
  • The Report: Overall quality of the report
  • Depth of understanding of market and customer segments

Prizes

This year our cash prizes will be the biggest prize amounts in SwatTank history! The prize will be split between all members of the team. At the SwatTank Finals, audience members will also have an opportunity to cast their vote for "Audience Choice", an additional $500. 

  • First Place: $3,000
  • Second Place: $1,000
  • Third Place: $250