Big iDeas: Idea Session with Professor James Hart

On Tuesday, September 19th, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. in Hughes-Trigg 120, the Office of Engaged Learning will host their Big iDeas: Idea Session. The purpose of this session is to refine your winning idea before the Pitch Contest on September 29th. Participating in this opportunity could help fine-tune your idea into the winning idea!

The Big iDeas Pitch Contest is a forum for undergraduate entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas. The prize is $1000 in seed money to get the winning idea off the ground. Each idea needs at least two team members. Participants have 90 seconds to pitch their idea without visual aids. A brief Q&A from the judges follows each pitch. Big iDeas will accept applications through September 27, 2023. For example, CollegePlus is a mobile app that helps underserved students navigate college admissions that won in 2021.

James Hart has a wealth of experience in teaching and advising on entrepreneurship. Hart is a professor of practice at Meadows School of the Arts. Hart serves as the director of Social Innovation, Creative, & Arts Entrepreneurship major within CCPA. Consequently, he co-founded an academic society for arts entrepreneurship called the Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education (SAEE) and serves on the board of the United States Association for Small Business Entrepreneurship (USASBE). Many of Hart’s works about entrepreneurial exercises for the classroom are used in universities worldwide. Some of Hart’s work includes his book Classroom Exercises for Entrepreneurship: A Cross-disciplinary Approach. Additionally, Hart has featured in a TEDxSMUTalk and various blogs and articles.

Everyone planning to compete in the Big iDeas Pitch Contest is encouraged to attend and take advantage of Professor Hart’s advice at the Big iDeas: Idea Session. Whether you plan to compete in a Big iDeas contest or have an interest in the entrepreneurial process, all are welcome to attend! Register on SMU360 here.