iBucs
Practice. Pitch. Win.
Pitch Day: March 27
Have an idea for a business, product, nonprofit, or creative venture? iBucs is ETSU’s annual Shark-Tank-style competition where students pitch their ideas for a chance to earn seed funding, mentorship, and the momentum to turn concepts into real companies.
Whether you’re an experienced founder or just exploring an idea for the first time, iBucs gives you the tools, support, and community to build something meaningful.
What iBucs Offers
Seed Funding… up to $6,000!
Students compete for cash awards that help turn ideas into prototypes, pilots, or full-scale launches.
Mentorship From Entrepreneurs & Experts
Participants receive guidance on refining their ideas, designing their business model, building strong pitches, and preparing for the live competition.
Come with an open mind, Leave with a Valuable resume asset
You’ll learn communication, strategy, and entrepreneurial thinking. This is the kind of experience that stands out in a competitive job market, grad school applications, and portfolios.
How the Competition Works
|
1. Apply With Your Idea Share a short description of your business idea, it can be early-stage or simply a well-developed concept. Any ETSU student from any major can participate. |
2. Work With a Mentor After applying, you’ll be connected with a mentor who will help you develop your pitch, sharpen your value proposition, and identify opportunities to strengthen your concept before the big day. |
3. Pitch Live on March 27 Students present to a panel of judges made up of founders, faculty, and community leaders. Judges evaluate clarity, viability, creativity, and potential impact. |
4. Win Funding & Continued Support Winners receive seed money, ongoing coaching, and the chance to keep developing their ventures through FoundersForge, workshops, and regional startup events. |
Pitch Prep Sessions
Want help shaping your idea before you apply or before you pitch? This year, students can book a one-on-one pitch session with an iBucs mentor at a time that works for both of you.
These sessions help you:
- Talk through your idea and get actionable feedback
- Clarify your problem, solution, and target audience
- Strengthen your pitch structure and delivery
- Learn what judges look for in successful presentations
Who Should Apply?
iBucs is designed for ETSU students who:
- Have a business idea, side hustle, nonprofit concept, creative venture, or innovation
they want to explore
Interested in entrepreneurship - Want mentorship and hands-on support
- Are curious about entrepreneurship or problem-solving
- Want to build a standout portfolio piece
- Already run a small business and want to grow it
You don’t need a finished business plan! Just a thoughtful idea and the drive to work on it.
Key Dates
|
Contact ayalae@etsu.edu for more info
The iBUCS Student Venture Pitch Competition is hosted by the ETSU College of Business and Technology