Tips for Students | I3 Competition

I3 provides a great opportunity for students to learn how to give a successful business pitch, develop organizational skills, and experience making direct change. At the end of the competition, practical teams are tasked with giving an outcome pitch whereas concept teams deliver a concept pitch to show what they have worked on for the past two months. Here are some of our tips to deliver a great pitch:

Keep your slides clear but concise.
- A few words are great , but we suggest mainly using the space to show the data you have collected with images and examples! The more analytics and proof of growth, the better!

Talk about your decision making process and focus on what you have achieved

Make the goal of the company clear for the judges and how you were able to achieve that

Use examples or pictures of how the final product looks throughout your slideshow

Speak slowly!

Introduce who you are, but don't overdo it! The content of your pitch is more important.
- We want to know who you are, so introduce your name at the beginning of your pitch! However, don't let it take too long to ensure you have enough time to talk about what specific changes you made

Be confident! No one knows the amount of work you all have put in besides your team. This is your time to show that!

Make sure every slide contributes something new and different!

Practice ahead of time and make use of the mentorship sessions.

Fill your time; use up as much of the 8 minutes to give your pitch as possible.

Run through the final presentation before the competition timeline.

Communicate well with each other and do not to talk over each other in the Q&A period.

OUR

Tips

Words of Advice from Past Contestants

"Stay organized! It is easy to lose track of time, therefore plan accordingly. Consistent communication is also key to ensuring that you hit reach your goals and the business feels satisfied."

Interesting Scholarships

We found a series of scholarships that your experience with the I³ Competition might be helpful for! If you choose to use I³ for these scholarships, please notify the business you worked with to make sure you don't share private information. Keep in mind that these scholarships may be a little out of date. If you are interested in posting a scholarship here, please email us.

STEM Scholarship Program | Avomeen

Avomeen offers two scholarship programs to assist funding your undergraduate education in a STEM discipline. Scholarships are awarded annually in the amount of $2,500 each.

KPMG Future Leaders Program | KPMG

The KPMG Future Leaders Program annually awards twenty-two top female high school seniors with significant financial need, the opportunity to accelerate their personal growth through college scholarships, leadership development, mentorship, and an introduction to golf. Funded by proceeds from the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit, the program’s focus is to empower and advance these promising leaders of tomorrow.

10x Digital Marketing Scholarship

“10x digital is passionate about nurturing the next generation of digital marketers. In addition to our internship program, we award the 10x digital Marketing Scholarship twice annually. We accept applications with essays for those students who are planning to be enrolled or are currently enrolled in a digital marketing, technology, communications, marketing, business or a related field.”
- Write a 500-word essay on the following topic: Digital marketing trends are changing the way we market to consumers. In your opinion, which 5 digital marketing trends are paving the way for 2022 and why. Give detailed examples of each.
- Separately, include a narrative (2 paragraphs max) of why you are deserving of this scholarship.
Eligibility: high school seniors and undergraduate students

Valentino DiGiorgio STEAM Scholarship

For high school seniors interested in pursuing a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) education in college. Demonstrate your interest by talking about a STEAM related project you have worked on.
Applications open ~March and close at the end of April.
Requires demonstrated financial need.
Prize: $2,500.

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Eligibility: 8-18 years old
Prize: $10,000 and multiple winners; Recognition Gifts, Young Heroes Materials, Networking Opportunities, Media Coverage
Requirements: Completed Application Form; Project Summary (250 word limit); Project Essay (1,500 word limit); Three Letters of Recommendation; One color photo of the applicant

House Scholarship Foundation

Eligibility: 9-12 grade
Prize: $2,000
This year's scholarship is the $2000 House Scholarship Foundation Aspiring Scholars Award, given to students who demonstrate leadership qualities in their community during the Covid-19 crisis. Applicants must be U.S citizens who are currently attending high school.

Essay Contest — Kaplun Foundation

Eligibility: 7-12th graders
Prompt for 10-12th graders (Level 2): How does philanthropy improve the world beyond just the direct recipients/beneficiaries?
- Level 2 entries may not exceed 10,000 characters — approximately 1,500 words.
Prize: The first-place winners will be awarded $1,800. The next five winners in each level will receive an award of $500 each. Entrance prizes of $18.00 will be awarded to the first 50 essays received in each level.

Kris Paper Legacy Scholarship

The Kris Paper Legacy Scholarship for Women in Technology provides an annual scholarship to a graduating female high school senior or returning female college student who intends to further their education at a two-year or four-year college, university, vocational or technical school who share Kris Paper’s love of technology and will be seeking a degree in a technology related field.
Eligibility: Female high school senior, 3.2 GPA, regular attendance, rigorous classes
Prize: $1,500
Supplemental Questions: Why did you select your chosen field of study? Please describe any types of financial aid that you will be receiving or are currently receiving to attend your chosen college/university. Please write a short essay introducing yourself and explain why you would be the desired recipient of the Kris Paper Legacy Scholarship for Women in Technology.

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honors 9th-12th grade women, genderqueer, or non-binary students for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education.
Prize: Varies