Eligibility Requirements
All competitors must be Mid-Atlantic businesses, within 5 years of launching.
Winners & Non-winners are not eligible to compete again. Applicants not selected to compete may reapply in the future, but are encouraged to improve their submission by working with the SBDC or Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship.
Deadlines
Application Opens: February 3, 2025
Final Deadline for Submissions: March 10, 2025
Competition day: April 25, 2025
Applicants can submit or update their materials at any point during this period. The system will be closed at 11:59 PM on the final deadline date. Applicants are encouraged to submit well before the final deadline to avoid internet connectivity or system problems.
Submission Requirements
Online Application: Applicants will complete an online application that includes a background profile, contact information, and a full business plan with financials.
Exhibit Tradeshow: Competitors will participate in an exhibit style tradeshow, featuring their products or service. Recommended materials are: tablecloth, poster or signage, marketing materials, samples or a prototype. A tabletop poster template is available on our website for companies without pre-existing exhibition materials.
Presentation: Competitors will create a 1-minute pitch and engage in a 6-minute Q & A session with the judges. The "pitch" should include (at a minimum): The Product or Service, The Market, How the Product or Service Will Make Money, Your Leadership Team, Your Competition and Competitive Advantage & Planned Use of the Ratcliffe Funds. NO Pitch decks or Presentation material allowed during your pitch. Competitors are welcome to wear marketing items such as logo wear, shirts, hats and pins.
Electronic: All submissions must be made via the provided web-based information system. Submissions sent by email, mail, or other methods will not be reviewed.
Meetings: Competitors will participate in 3 meetings: 1 info session + 2 pitch practices (all virtual) to prepare for the event.
Rubric
Scoring
Applications and pitches will be evaluated by a panel of industry experts. A scoring rubric will be used to rank submissions. The top-ranking submissions will be reviewed by the judging panel on competition day, and then winners will be selected. All decisions made by the panel is final and scored rubrics will not be shared with competitors.
Other Competition Rules
Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, may be used as part of an applicant’s creative process. However, all submitted text and narrative must be the applicants own self-generated content.
FAQ’s:
- Can someone review my business plan?
Yes. You can contact Rick Leibowitz (fmleibowitz@salisbury.edu) of the SBDC Small Business Development Center, Michael Jensen (mdjensen@salisbury.edu) of the SU Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship or reach out to Heather Brooks (hmbrooks@salisbury.edu) to request an appointment for business plan assistance.
- When will I know if my application has been accepted into the competition?
Our team will complete a 1 – 2 week internal review of each applicant then, we will personally invite each competitor via phone and email.
- What happens if it turns out that I'm not prepared to compete this round?
If we determine you are unable to compete, before submitting the application: you are welcome to re-apply for a future round.
If we determine you are unable to compete, after submitting the application: you will be able to re-apply for a future round. Please email hmbrooks@salisbury.edu to communicate any changes.
If you were invited to compete but are unable to: Please notify the Competition Coordinator, Heather Brooks at: hmbrooks@salisbury.edu. You will be eligible to apply to a future competition.
- I didn't submit all my information before the deadline. Can I still submit my application after the cut-off date?
Unfortunately, once the application process for a semester's competition cycle closes, no new applications will be accepted until the next cycle. We would, however, love to have you re-apply for the next Shore Hatchery competition! More information on the next information cycle can be found on the Shore Hatchery website closer to the next cycle's start date.