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Undergraduate business students master ‘Art of the Pitch’ at the 2021 PepsiCo Pitch Competition

Undergraduate business students master ‘Art of the Pitch’ at the 2021 PepsiCo Pitch Competition

April 6, 2021

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For the last 12 years, first-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) students have pitched their business ideas at the PepsiCo Pitch Competition as part of the one of the core first-year business classes. Sponsored by PepsiCo Canada and co-sponsored by Lazaridis Economics alumnus and former ‘dragon’ on CBC’s Dragons’ Den David Chilton, the top 12 students benefit from a scholarship pool of more than $5,500.

The competition aims to strengthen students’ communication and persuasion skills, introducing them to the ‘art of the pitch’, a critical skill in the business world and throughout the BBA program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was held virtually this year, adding an extra layer of technological requirements for all involved.

According to Laura Allan, instructor for the course and competition coordinator: “I couldn’t be prouder of our students. They have performed incredibly well under very unusual circumstances. To present such compelling investor pitches through a virtual format just shows how strong our students are. Well done!”

Of the more than 1,200 BBA students enrolled in the course, 92 students were selected to compete in the semi-finals, and 12 moved on to the finals. The finalists presented their 2-minute ‘elevator’ pitch to a panel of expert judges, including alumni and executives from PepsiCo Canada. Students were judged on the structure and delivery of their pitch, how well they connected with the judges, and how persuasive they were. The judges determined which pitches intrigued them enough to want to hear more.

This year’s judges included:

  • Cara Keating, president, PepsiCo Foods Canada
  • Dave Moncur, vice president of Human Resources, PepsiCo Foods Canada
  • Ryan Brez (BBA ’04), senior director of Sales, PepsiCO Beverages Canada
  • Margo Jay (BBA ’88), chief executive officer, 365 Integrated Inc.
  • Ken Whyte (BBA ’79), president, Quarry Communications Inc.

After a difficult deliberation, the results came in as follows:

  • 1st Place – Morin Salami “Spikeless”
  • 2nd Place – David Reimer “Communitask”
  • 3rd Place – Syed (Rafaey) Ali “Ellie”

Finalists

  • Aaron George “Fridge Space”
  • Aidan (AJ) Goldsmith “Hom-ie”
  • Camilla Fedrigoni “My Inventory”
  • Daniel Nucci “Gnat Combat”
  • Emily Loberto “Bucket List”
  • Jared Small “Portify”
  • Rayyan Abbasi “Tea Pops”
  • Sia Bhaskar “One Way Heart”
  • Yasmeen Manji “Suites for Students”

Congratulations to all those who participated in this event. Thank you to PepsiCo Canada, David Chilton, BU121 instructional assistants, and our panel of judges for your time and effort in making this event so special.

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